CRISIS-HIT Buckmore Park, the scouting and sports centre, has shut down amid mounting financial problems.

The shock move, just a year after the Queen was due to open the £15 million complex, has stunned youth and sports leaders, and will be a devastating blow to thousands of young people across the county.

Legal wrangles with the Highways Agency, coupled with prolonged roadworks, have been blamed for the closure of a centre which counted Prince William and Prince Harry among its many visitors.

Cecil Whitehead, stalwart of the scouting movement for half a century and mastermind of the new complex, said: "It's been 50 years of my life. It's a very sad day."

Thirty staff were laid off after being given the news. Centre manager Peter Stevens sent an email to contacts explaining what had happened and ending: "Many regrets."

In a statement, the Scouting Movement -- motto "Be Prepared" -- said: "The financial viability of the centre has been considered and the directors and trustees reached the stage that they felt they could no longer continue to trade.

"Discussion between representatives of the two Scout Districts, the Bridge Trust and Sport England has been ongoing in recent months with a view to find a way forwards. Until these discussions have been concluded the complex will remain closed."

The closure on March 31 was a year to almost the day -- March 28, 2002 -- when the Queen had been due to officially open the centre as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Buckmore Park blamed unsightly roadworks for calling off the visit. But Mr Whitehead said at the time that bad weather had also caused delays to projects that should have been ready in time for the Queen's visit.

He had hoped she would visit later in the year but it never happened. Instead, the Queen visited the Universities of Medway at Chatham Maritime.

However, the centre was already in financial trouble and had been forced to postpone essential work. Lack of money held up payments to suppliers.

Last year, the centre launched a 50th anniversary fundraising appeal. It was also in dispute with the Government over claims for up to £1.25m in compensation.

Buckmore Park is on land owned by the Rochester Bridge Trust. The Scout District took out a 35-year lease in 1992.

Vernon Hull, a former Trust senior warden, said: "It's a real shock because it was a superb facility for the area."

It has been a scouting centre for some 50 years. But its buildings were becoming dilapidated and construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and M2 widening offered the ideal opportunity to create and exciting new complex.

With the expectation of millions of pounds of compensation from railway developers and the Highways Agency, scouting chiefs embarked on one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the movement.

The Scout Camp site, training ground and activity centre of the Medway and Strood District Scout Councils were transformed.

Conference facilities coupled with state-of-the-art sports facilities made it one of the best venues in the county for young people, sports enthusiasts and businesses.

It has since hosted the English Table Tennis Championships and other high-profile events.

Buckmore Park is well known to thousands of children who have been there for special birthdays.

But protracted legal wrangles with the Highways Agency, which have gone to the High Court and valuation tribunals, have held up payment, wrecking financial plans and scouting dreams.