Falling numbers have led the Salvation Army to shut its church in Sheerness after nearly 140 years of serving the Isle of Sheppey.

Spokesman Nicola Rattray said: “It is with great sadness that after consultation we have made the difficult decision to close our church in Sheerness.”

The final service will be on Sunday, September 17, at 10.30am.

She said: "The Salvation Army in Sheerness has worked tirelessly to be a beacon of hope and a place for people to connect with God and to each other.”

But she admitted: “Sadly new growth has not been forthcoming and we have been unable to expand the number of regular worshippers.

"Therefore, we have decided to rest our ministry in Sheerness to reconsider where we go in the future on the Isle of Sheppey.”

It is not yet know what will happen to the hall.

Members of the congregation will be absorbed by other Island churches and Salvation Army churches in Sittingbourne and Chatham.

Church leader Lieutenant Rebecca Zund said she was committed to helping worshippers switch to new venues.

There has been a Salvation Army presence on Sheppey for 137 years working with people from all walks of life and providing food and parcels at Christmas.

Joyce Boulton, 56, of Berridge Road, Sheerness, said: “It is very sad. I remember going there as a young girl when I lived at West Minster. They would take all the Sunday School children on days out to places like Margate.”