A MENTAL health clinic in Sevenoaks will suspend its services by September.

The specialist NHS centre, in St John's Road, is used by residents with mental health problems.

Under the terms of a redesign by Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, the clinic will shut its doors in the coming months.

The trust blames the property's space and capabilities and promises other mental health services will spring up in Sevenoaks before the current facility shuts.

But Carole and Tony Wright, of the Rethink South West Kent Voluntary Support Group, say the closure spells trouble for many users.

Mr Wright said: "The closing of St John's is a big disappointment, bearing in mind past promises by the mental health trust."

The couple are concerned this is just the beginning of a full programme of cuts.

They claim to have pressed the NHS for information and received very little.

Mrs Wright added: "Our immediate concerns are for the local service users who we do not want to have to travel out of the area and consequently may not bother to continue with their treatments.

"Alternatively, they may be transferred back to their GPs who may, by their own admittance, lack training and resources where serious mental illness is concerned."

A spokesman for the social care trust said: "We wish to make clear that we are not looking at reducing mental health services in Sevenoaks in any way whatsoever.

"Delivering modern mental healthcare needs to take place in the community and in premises that are accessible and fit for purpose.

"The current base at St John's is not fit for purpose, space cannot be utilised efficiently and it no longer provides the right accommodation needed for modern services. Indeed, this is the case with many trust buildings across Kent and we are reviewing the use of all of our estate.

"With an increased focus on mobile working and seeing people in the community and as close to home as possible, a base at St John's will not be necessary in the future."

The trust is now working closely with voluntary groups to try to find other locations.

The representative added: "Co-locating with these services can be positive for service users and staff. In the future we expect to operate from a single main base."