A table tennis club are looking for a new home as their council-owned facility is believed to be going on the market.

The Newhouse Sports & Youth Centre had been home to the Newhouse Table Tennis Club for many years but last Wednesday was the last time they were able to use the Chalkwell Road facility.

It’s been described as a “monumental loss to Sittingbourne” but the members are determined to keep the club alive and recently organised an event to gather support. Players from across Kent attended their tournament at the Howard School in Rainham.

In an open message to members on their Facebook site, the club announced “with regret” that last Wednesday’s session would be the final one staged at “a unique facility that has and could have offered so much more to the community with the right level of management, attention and thought leadership within KCC (Kent County Council).”

The hunt is now on for a place which can accommodate up to 10 tables at one time.

Messages of support included one from former player Dina Harman, who commented: “This is so sad. I first went there 48 years ago. Whenever I drive past, it evokes memories. What a shame it has to close.”

The club included Saturday morning sessions for youngsters while some top players were also frequent visitors, including Richard Carden.

Player Benjapan Sage, from Sheerness, is among those spearheading a campaign to find new funding and a new venue for local players.

She said: “The council have decided they don’t want us to be there any more and a few of us decided we wanted to do something about it.

“It is disappointing we’ve had to leave as I’ve seen the journey of people from as young as five up to teenagers and it’s been like a family.We’ve had a club there for a long time.

“We went to The Howard School in Medway to arrange a tournament, which was successful, with people from Kent, Sussex and further away coming to play and support us.

“We wanted to see how people think about creating a new club, to see their reaction, and they love the idea.”

Another get-together is planned for February.

The Sittingbourne Table Tennis League has said that the club will be playing matches out of the Wyvern Sports Club. Finding a permanent place for their members will be a challenge, as Sittingbourne League player Sage explains.

She said: “We have 10 tables which have been put into storage in some of the members’ houses. We didn’t have anywhere to put them.

“We have tried other places but some aren’t big enough. Some places can only fit a few tables in. Some of the schools think it is too much hassle. It’s really difficult to find somewhere.

“People are now having to travel a long way to play and it would be nice if we could find somewhere in Sittingbourne.”

KCC were asked for comment regarding the closure of the venue.