After 40 years of service, the Broadstiars Youth and Leisure Centre will close its doors at the end of the month.

The charity, which operates from Retort House in Albion Street car park, has provided sports and community facilities for decades.

This site was once he town gas works and Retort House originally housed the plant to convert coal to gas.

This building, which is in the past had been used as a council store, was renovated and converted into a community centre more than 40 years ago by Broadstairs Round Table.

Since the, the Broadstairs Youth and Leisure charity has provided facilities for badminton, five-a-side football, dance and many other activities as well as community meetings.

Thanet District Council, which owns the building, has put it on its asset disposal list.

Both the charity and Broadstairs and St Peters town council expressed interest in acquiring the property as a community purchase.

It was felt that the town council was most suitable and the sale was begun.

The transfer, however, has taken longer than expected.

In the interim, the leisure centre continued to keep Retort House open for users.

Malcolm Flory, chairman of Broadstairs Youth and Leisure Centre, said: "Thanet District Council has for many years not spent sufficient on the maintenance and upkeep of the building and urgent works are now required.

"Due to the delays in establishing the future of Retort House we are now entering the winter period and the condition of the building is now considered unsuitable for its use.

"Regretfully, after providing a community facility for so many years, the Broadstairs Youth and Leisure Centre will be handing the keys of Retot House back to Thanet District Council at the end of September.

"The trustees and management committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all the many user groups who have used the centre of the years."