SHOPKEEPERS and business people are being urged to attend a special meeting of Whitstable Chamber of Commerce. The group decided to close at their annual meeting last month because a new committee did not come forward but did not have enough members there to vote on the issue.

The special meeting, which will be held next month, is officially to wind down the association - unless dozens of new members turn up. Secretary Dickie Bird said: "Since we announced we were going to close I have had a few inquiries but not as many as we need.

"It is very sad but it looks like the Chamber is going to shut. This will be a great tragedy for the town." The meeting will be on Wednesday, June 19, at the Marine Hotel. For more information call 01227 272699.