A sports venue has announced it will be closing due to uncertainty surrounding the Lower Thames Crossing.

Southern Valley Golf Club in Gravesend will be shutting on August 31 as the estimated £8.2bn project is proposed to build across its land.

In a statement to members, the directors said: "Due to the uncertainty with the crossing, the directors of GRT Holdings have decided to accept an offer for the land currently occupied by the golf course.

"It is therefore with regret that we announce that after more than 20 years of operations, we will be closing the business.

"We would like to thank you all for your support over the years and wish you all happy and successful golfing."

If approved, the Lower Thames Crossing would be built east of Gravesend and is designed to help ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing.

The club is located on land that would be needed to build part of the 14-mile road route, which has been set out in public consultations carried out since 2018.

The land would be used for the southern tunnel entrance and new road connecting to the A2/M2, as well as a new public park and open landscaping.

Matt Palmer, executive director on the crossing scheme, said: "We are sorry for the impact our proposals would have on the Southern Valley Golf Club, which is unavoidable due to the selection of a route that aims to reduce the impact on nearby homes and sensitive habitats such as ancient woodland.

"We have been engaging with the owners of the land for a number of years and are currently in active discussions with them to reach a voluntary agreement to purchase the land, which we are aiming to complete at a time and in a way that best supports the landowners."

The club in Thong Lane opened in 1999 and covers 138 acres. It has around 300 members who have been asked to use their outstanding credit and cancel their standing orders.

Southern Valley has contacted the regulating bodies and assured players their handicaps will be kept in the world system so they can be easily transferred to other clubs.

It also has been in contact with RedLibbets Golf Club in Sevenoaks which has suggested it may have availability for new people.

Details of how much the land has been sold for has not been disclosed.