A town centre charity shop has shut for good due to "health and safety issues" – just months after offering all items for £1.

The YMCA store in Ashford's Park Mall shopping centre has been closed since the summer to allow for "maintenance works".

But charity bosses say the former Next unit will now never reopen due to "health and safety reasons beyond their control".

The store launched a scheme in May where every item cost £1 in a bid to help shoppers with the cost of living crisis.

At the time, manager Lisa Barden said the Ashford store was an end-of-line site so unsold products from London would be sent to it and sold for £1.

Despite the permanent closure, YMCA's other stores in Ashford – in County Square and Brookfield Court – will remain open and are accepting donations.

The store in Brookfield Court operates a one, two, three policy which means items range between £1 and £3 in a bid to keep costs down.

YMCA claims to be the oldest and largest youth charity in the world and helps young people with a variety of needs across England and Wales.

Ashford Borough Council, which owns Park Mall, has been contacted for comment.

In its long-term plans for the town centre, the authority wants to convert the centre into residential space.