An urgent search is on to find a new home for a town's Post Office after an "unexpected" change to relocation plans.

The company announced last year it needed to move its main town branch in Gravesend out of WHSmith in the St George's Shopping Centre as that store was due to close.

WHSmith is at number 37 Kempthorne Street while the new branch was going to be just a few doors away at another unit at number 34.

But in a letter to customers, MP Adam Holloway and local councillors, the firm has now revealed that move won't be happening and the search for a new home has begun.

A Post Office spokesman said: "Gravesend Post Office is closing on March 1 at 5.30pm due to the resignation of the operator and the closure of the store where the branch is based.

"We successfully consulted on plans to move the branch to a new location. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the planned relocation can no longer go ahead.

"The news that the branch could no longer relocate was unexpected and we apologise to customers who will be travelling further to visit other Post Offices.

"We are trying to restore service to the town centre as soon as possible."

The branch was to be run by a new operator with longer opening hours, a new card and stationery shop and be open an extra 30 hours a week.

In the letter to customers, network provision manager Jason Collins said: "I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep the period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

"We may carry out a further local public consultation on another location in the near future."

The vacancy is now being re-advertised on the Post Office website and applications are being encouraged from retailers as the firm looks to relocate in the town centre.

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the Post Office’s latest update and that they are looking for a suitable alternative location within the town, and will continue to monitor their progress in locating such a site."

The closest alternative branches are Thames Way Post Office, which is inside the Asda superstore, or Old Road West Post Office. Both are approximately 0.9 miles away from the current branch.

The Post Office did not clarify why the move hasn't been able to go ahead as planned.