Over 30-thousand pounds is needed to save a recycling centre in Kent otherwise it will be shut by the end of next week.

The Kent Recycling Centre in Hawkinge near Folkestone has been going for 22 years.

But bosses say they can no longer run it because vital cash from Kent County Council and Shepway District Coucil has been cut.

The plant charges people to get rid of their waste and has raised over half a million pounds for charity.

Last year the centre stopped getting funding from KCC as it could not meet its requirements to separate materials received from schools and businesses. Now it needs to raise £35,000 to stay open.

It has applied to Shepway District Council for funding but back in July after waiting six months, the local authority refused to give bosses any financial assistance.

Mark Wyatt is the founder of the plant and said it is deeply upsetting.

He said:"43 thousand hours I've given to this service.

"It will be really gutting if we have to close it. All the team work really well together, they'll all be very upset.

"We've got more awards from industry and local authorities than we ever though possible, but they don't pay the bills.

"Now we are getting support through petitions and all the groups we work with in the area. They all want us to survive.

"One old man gave us ten pounds, which was very sweet of him and the Folkestone Town centre manager John Barber gave us £1000, which came completely out of the blue. We need a lot more like that."