Methodists in Headcorn are set to leave their base of more than 200 years, as maintaining the building has become an "impossibility".

Rising running and insurance costs have been given as the reason for the group closing the High Street building.

However, the church's trustees say Methodist worship will continue in Headcorn but as of yet no suitable meeting premises have been found, although work is underway to source one.

Currently, the 12 members of the congregation meet on Zoom for services.

Colin Pearson, secretary of the trustrees, said: "There has been a Methodist church on the site for just over 200 years. The current building has been there since 1867.

"It feels sad but we have to be realistic.

"We will get together, it just won't be our own building."

Mr Pearson said one particular problem with the building was water penetration, with damp coming through.

He wasn't able to say how much the repairs would cost, as the builders looking at the damp hadn't given a fixed figure yet.

A statement posted on Facebook said: "The building will close, but worship will continue, online while the Covid restrictions are in place.

"The Covid virus has made the needs of the people living in the village even greater and more evident. Some, such as spiritual guidance and support in bereavement, are timeless. Others are new, and reflect the changing times.

"The Methodist church will remain active in the life of the village. It will find fresh and different ways of working. These are not dependent on a building."

It is not known when the building will close but the "processes" involved in the closure are "likely to take several months", the statement said.

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