A community hub in Tovil came crashing down, as work began to clear the site for a new £1m centre.

Representatives from Golding Homes, Maidstone YMCA, Maidstone Borough Council and Tovil Parish Council gathered off Courtenay Road to witness the demolition of the timber-clad Children’s Hut, which dates back to the Second World War.

The new community centre will be built on the site by Golding Homes, which has pledged more than £1m to the project, and managed by Maidstone YMCA, which is contributing £400,000 to equipping and running the centre.

Plans for the new building were first revealed to the public more than four years ago, and planning permission gained in 2012. Fundraising has been taking place since then.

Lynda Dale, CEO of Maidstone YMCA, welcomed the development, saying “It has taken a long time to reach this point, through initial thinking, planning, and fundraising.

"It’s fantastic to see work taking place and the old building coming down. We’re excited about the future and looking forward to starting the new year with a new community centre”.

Chris Blundell, director of development and regeneration at Golding Homes, added: “It is fitting that as we approach Easter we are seeing new hope and optimism in the heart of the Tovil community.

"We at Golding Homes are confident this will be a great addition to a really vibrant community, used and treasured by local people for all sorts of activities”.

Golding Homes completed a £25m development of new homes in the adjacent Coombe Farm estate in 2013.

The new centre will feature training and lifestyle facilities, and offer activities for local young people.