Hundreds of workers face being relocated to Surrey as a financial services company closes its office in Kent.

Fidelity International has announced it is to shut its branch in Hildenborough in 2020.

A total of 650 people work at the site.

The company said it plans to relocate "the majority of employees and roles" to another of its sites in Kingswood, Surrey.

A consultation will begin in January and employees will be given the chance to get involved in shaping the transfer of roles.

Peter Horrell, managing director at Fidelity International, said: "We have to work in different ways to deliver for our clients and that includes being more efficient, more collaborative and working with more flexibility.

"We believe it is much easier to achieve this with one suburban site rather than have our infrastructure and our staff spread across two.

"Closing an office is never an easy decision to make but it is our clear intention and also our strong desire that the majority of people who work in our Kent office will come with us to Kingswood in Surrey and continue with their roles in a different location.

"We believe that our Kingswood location gives us the best opportunity for this more flexible and collaborative way of working and we will be developing a new and modern work space to accommodate this."

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat said: "This is really disappointing news for our town.

"Fidelity are an excellent company who have supported the local community well over a long period of time, employing many local people.

"I've spoken to the managing director today as this decision will have huge consequences for Hildenborough, Tonbridge and the surrounding area.

"A consultation on the transfer will begin in January and I would urge all employees to contribute.

"It is worth noting that the changes do not take place until 2020 so we have chance to prepare. Having said that, I'm disappointed with this news."