People who use a sports club on a school site are angry and disappointed after being told it will close in less than two months.

Letters have been sent out by Astor of Hever Community School, Oakwood Road, Maidstone, telling people who use the loss-making centre it would close to outside users from August 31.

The school took over the former Westborough Sports Centre three years ago.

But school managers say it made a £27,000 loss in the last financial year and, because building work is being carried out on site in the summer holidays, it would not be appropriate for the long-running summer club to be held.

Dawn Coutts, of Halfpenny Close, Barming, said her son, Daniel, had attended holiday clubs at Westborough Sports Centre since he was five.

She said: “When it was the Westborough Sports Centre it was always fully utilised, day and night, in the week and at weekends.

“Since having become part of Astor this has diminished, which is a great shame, especially as Astor is meant to be a “community” school. Surely that would mean that the facilities are made available for use by the community?”

Ann Skilbeck, head coach of Oakwood Judo Club, which was started 30 years ago, said: “I have told the parents about the closure, but not my little ones, some of them are as young as four-and-a-half.

“I am trying everything I can to find somewhere else for us to meet, but it’s difficult because I need somewhere where I can also store all the mats.”

Steve Martin, of the Schizendo martial arts group, which meets there weekly, said: “I see martial arts as an education for kids; the children are so focussed. The facilities are there and aren’t going to be used – it’s a crying shame.”

Keith Wright, who plays badminton at the centre with three friends, said: “We have had two courts between 8pm and 9pm for more than 30 years.

“They may say it is about costs, but I don’t believe they have given proper thought to making proper charges; there has been no increase for years and years.

“The premises are, quite rightly, for the primary use of the school. However, it is a government target to ensure such premises are fully utilised, which mean that they are available to the wider community, and at the same time to provide income support for the school.

“I believe that you have an obligation to the community as a whole to make available your promises for sporting use in line with government encouragement.”