The Seafarers Centre in Snargate Street, Dover is to close.

The centre, run by the Sailors' Society, provides spiritual and practical support - including accommodation - for seafarers from all over the world who arrive at the port.

The licensed bar closes today (Wednesday) and the centre itself is set to close "in the near future".

The charity's trustees said the closure would be managed "sensitively" with regard to the needs of those who currently use the accommodation, and no-one would be forced out at short notice.

Talks are taking place with staff to see if they can be re-deployed elsewhere.

The centre is one of only two in England which currently offer hostel accommodation.

"The centre is experiencing declining use by visiting seafarers these days," said the society's chief executive Robert Adams.

"Food and beverage sales at the centre are falling away dramatically and in this respect the charity is no longer meeting the seafarers' needs."

He said the building could not be brought up to modern standards.

"I can assure you that no-one will be forced to leave at short notice.

"The facility must, however, at some point in the near future close."

For the full story see today's Dover Mercury.