Nesting seagulls have been blamed for causing some damage forcing the closure of a town centre library.

Kent County County (KCC) says cracks in the building housing Folkestone Library, caused by the birds, mean the Grade II-listed structure has significant damp, mould and water damage.

The authority shut the facility in December saying the level of damage left it with “no choice but to close the building for the safety of customers and staff”.

The repairs are expected to cost up to £2 million meaning the 135-year-old public library is unlikely to ever reopen.

In a document responding to frequently asked questions, KCC reported: “Much of the damage to the roof, guttering and windows has been caused by seagulls, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“Repairs must be made outside of nesting season.

“A recent drone survey has identified large amounts of earth, from nests, covering and blocking the parapet gutter outlets, resulting in damage and cracked downpipes.

“The downpipes themselves are restricted, with narrow bends around Grade II-listed stone-facade features.

“This, in addition to significant rainfall, contributes to worsening water damage.

“KCC’s building maintenance budget is managed across our entire building portfolio.

“We will continue to look for ways to fund the repairs needed so that we can make the building safe for public use again.”

Scores of people took to the streets to protest the closure when it was first announced.

Signs saying ‘Save Our Library’ have also been placed in shops across the town.

“We will continue to look for ways to fund the repairs needed so that we can make the building safe for public use again...”

KCC says it has been investigating the extent of works needed to bring the building back into use adding: “The work required is significant and funds are unfortunately not available in the current financial climate.

“This means that Folkestone Library will remain closed, at least until further notice.

“We know that this is very disappointing news for library users and we are sorry that there is not a more immediate solution.

“We want to reassure you that we are committed to a town centre library service for Folkestone and will continue to look for other funding options as well as other potential town centre locations that the library could move to.”

The reason the repairs will cost so much is because of the building’s listed status meaning like-for-like repairs are “costly and highly specialised”.

KCC says it is looking to apply for funding from the government’s ‘Libraries Improvement Fund’ to help cost the repairs.

However if repairs cannot be made, the authority says it will look for another town centre location.

A petition set up urging KCC to reopen the library in temporary form at least has reached more than 1,000 signatures.

Members from the Save Our Library Campaign have called on KCC’s cabinet member for libraries, Mike Hill, to respond for further information after groups wrote to him last month.

Campaign supporter Jon O’Connor, who works with local community groups, added: “I’ve worked with local authorities, including Kent, for 40 years.

“I am personally really shocked at the failure to discuss this properly with local people.

!All we’ve asked for is honesty: we want a meeting to discuss the building condition report, proper costings and an appraisal of options for this building to be given back to our community in good condition.

“We’re not giving up until we have some proper answers.”