Managers running a Royal British Legion Social Club say they are doing all they can to re-open the premises following a devastating fire.

The blaze took hold on the first floor of the building in Oxford Street, Whitstable last week forcing the club to shut “for the foreseeable future”.

Further details of the extent of the damage have not been revealed following the incident in the early hours of last Friday morning which saw flames spread to the roof.

Fire fire crews tackled the fire and an investigation is now under way.

The staff have described the fire as “tragic news” which has left them in a state of shock.

But they have been inundated with messages of sympathy and offers of support since the incident.

The Whitstable RBL secretary thanked all the pubs and other social clubs in the town offering Legion members their venues, including the Whitstable Labour Club without charging a fee and the Smack Inn who are offering a 10% discount.

A statement posted on the branch’s Facebook page added: “Members don’t have to worry, our club will be renovated. We look forward to seeing you all again in the club when it reopens.”

The club’s fortunes have been revived in recent years by the current management, transforming it into a popular venue which is widely praised by users.

It followed a period of uncertainty in 2019 when it faced closure until former pub landlord Steve Tracey took it on and set about making it viable with a better “community feel”.

Now the venue is also the meeting place for the town’s branches of the Royal Air Force Association and Royal Naval Association.

Mr Tracey’s efforts were rewarded with an accolade by the Royal British Legion in its reward and recognition scheme launched during the charity’s centenary in 2021.

This week a clean-up operation has begun at the premises although the damage is expected to take much longer to repair.

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: “We can confirm that the RBL’s Whitstable Club has had to close temporarily while an investigation into the fire is conducted.

“The RBL branch wishes to reassure its members that they are working on finding an alternative location to operate from, so that branch activities can soon continue as normal.”

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said the investigation into the cause of the blaze was still ongoing.