Frustrated councillors have accused health bosses of a "lack of transparency" over plans to close a Kent unit for violent dementia patients as the campaign gets backing from a celebrity.

NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wants to shut the Frank Lloyd centre at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital next March.

But nearly 3,000 people have signed a petition to keep it open.

At Kent County Council's health overview and scrutiny (HOSC) committee at County Hall, Maidstone, Cllr Andrew Bowles (Con), former Swale council leader, said: "We have had a lack of transparency and not had a full disclosure of information. I haven't seen a proper business case."

Cllr Ken Pugh (Con), who represents Swale at county level, demanded a "better explanation."

The Sheppey councillor asked: "Are there sufficient nursing staff to look after them and are there sufficient nursing homes?

"In Swale, certainly on the Island, there aren't any nursing homes. So where are they going to send these people to?"

Adam Wickings, chief operating officer of North West Kent CCG which has overall control of county health provision, insisted: "There has been no intention on my part to withhold any information."

The unit is run by the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) based in Gillingham.

The meeting came two weeks after letters were sent to relatives of Frank Lloyd patients telling them to find alternative places for health care ahead of a potential closure on March 31, 2020.

The unit in Bell Road, which once had two wards of 40 beds, has been deemed surplus to requirements by NHS Swale CCG which says "intensive" support for the five remaining Frank Lloyd patients at houses of relatives or local residential and nursing homes would be better.

It said: "Evidence shows that providing care for people living with dementia, who may also need additional care and support, is better provided in their usual place of residence within a community environment."

Mr Wickings dismissed claims the decision was based on saving money but promised a public consultation would be held.

Campaigner Denise Petro, 72, of Kent Avenue, Sittingbourne, has launched a petition to save the unit and has also won backing from former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips. The petition has 2,957 names.

Miss Phillips, 76, who was behind the raunchy TV dance troupe Hot Gossip in the 1970s, lost her own father to Alzheimer's in 2000. She has tweeted support for the campaign.

The Frank Lloyd unit looks after dementia patients with complex conditions who can be obstructive and violent.

Its staff of 34 specially-trained nurses face being moved to other services.

* Health bosses can be quizzed again today (Thursday) when NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group holds its annual meeting at Hempstead House, London Road, Bapchild, Sittingbourne from 1.30pm.

Ian Ayres, managing director for north and west Kent CCGs, will explain how the county’s CCGs are being phased out or merged. It is anticipated Swale will be grafted onto Medway.

The one-hour meeting will be followed by a question and answer session.

There will be a Listening Post session at 12.45pm for the public to put questions directly to the governing body. The CCG, plans, buys and monitors most of the healthcare services in Sittingbourne and on the Isle of Sheppey.

Today's Swale CCG agenda is here.

Denise Petro's Proposed closure of the Frank Lloyd Dementia Unit petition at change.org is here.

To keep up-to-date with Kent's latest health and hospital developments, click here.