BUSINESS people in WHitstable have just one month to join their chamber of commerce or it will close, organisers have warned.

The chamber only has 54 members and is run by a dedicated board of nine people, who say they are now disillusioned with the lack of support from the town. The annual meeting is next month and they have set this as the deadline for new members.

Chairman Dickie Bird said: "It would be terribly sad for the town if we had to shut but we really have no choice. We need at least another 20 members for the group to be financially viable and we simply cannot carry on as we are. This is the traders' last chance to show their support."

He has written to all local businesses with news of the decision but has had a half-hearted response so far. "There is a general apathy amongst traders in Whitstable," he said. "They shout and scream that we don't do anything for them, which is not true, but they are not willing to pay just £35 a year to join and do their bit. It feels like we are fighting a losing battle with them."

The chamber was set up in 1919 and has served the business community ever since.

Members are planning a meeting with Kent Highways over the controversial parking proposals and have objected to plans to charge for parking on Tankerton Slopes. They helped convince Mid Kent Water to abandon plans to shut off the town again to work on the water mains and assisted the council in negotiating with Tesco over plans to enlarge the store.

Mr Bird said: "We do a lot for the town for very little thanks. The traders don't seem to be interested in helping, just in complaining about things that are wrong. If we have to close down they may not find out about many of the main issues affecting the town because they would have no official body representing them. But it seems they are just not willing to part with their money."

The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17 in the Marine Hotel at 8pm. All local businesses are invited and can join on the night.