Ashford social club closes without warning

But members say there was absolutely no warning of the club's imminent demise and they were even told the price of beer was going up the night before it was shut.

The lack of meeting or information has angered member Bridget Abbey, who says the closure will leave a huge void in the community.

She said: "It's disgraceful the way this has been done. It's so sudden. People were in there having a good time on Sunday and then on the Monday the keys have been handed over, the barman's been sacked and the doors have been locked. People haven't been given their membership money back or anything.

"The club has been making money for years and donating a lot of it to the church, so I can't understand it. There's something strange going on and there are a lot of unhappy people about - it's the talk of the town."

Mjr Overton insists it's a simple case of the downturn proving too much and insists everything was done to save it.

He said: "It's one of the casualties of the recession. Everyone has been under pressure. We didn't want to lose it and the people in charge have been trying to keep it functioning. It will leave a big void."

Mrs Abbey says the club formed a vital part of village life, holding functions, dances and providing a safe place to bring kids. She said: "When it first opened it was like a barn but a lot has been spent doing it up and it had become a great social place.

"When you think of some of the pubs in town, what with the drunks and drugs, this was a place you could bring the kids, it had no trouble at all. It beggars belief it's going."