Campaigners fighting to save the visitor information centres in Whitstable and Herne Bay have lost their battle.

Members of the city council's ruling executive committee approved a proposal to shut the centres, despite two separate petitions signed by more than 6,000 people, hundreds of letters and 10 speakers, at their meeting on Tuesday night.

The centres will be replaced with a limited face to face service at the Horsebridge centre in Whitstable and divisional office in Herne Bay and a network of information points.

More than 20 campaigners attended the meeting to hear the debate, including staff from the centres who will be made redundant as part of the plans.

They were left with only a tiny glimmer of hope after Lib Dem and Labour councillors agreed to call in the decision, which means it will go before the council's scrutiny committee next week.

Gazette reporter Liz Crudgington handed the executive a dossier of her stories, comment pieces and letters sent in by readers.

The folder also included response forms completed by people dismayed at the plans, as well as a petition signed by more than 700.

She said: "Our VIC staff provide an award-winning welcome and invaluable local knowledge which helps draw in the visitors we so desperately need to survive - and helps make sure they spend money here."

Councillors blamed their decision on the necessity to save three per cent each year from the budget.

Cllr Mike Patterson, portfolio holder for tourism, said: "Closing VICs is an emotive issue and I understand that."

He said better marketing would attract more visitors and services like coach bookings and retail sales could be offered to local shops.

"People do not visit resorts because they do or do not have VICs," he added.

For more reaction, see this week's Whitstable and Herne Bay Gazettes, out on Thursday