A independent preparatory school has shut its doors for good.

The Fosse Bank School in Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough, closed after running into financial hardship.

They said: "We have been making every effort to find a way to continue operating the school and we had found a purchaser. However, unfortunately they have recently withdrawn.

The trustees said: "We are really sorry."

"Our intention was to do everything possible to ensure the continuation of Fosse Bank School with the new owners. We are devastated that we have failed to do this."

Established in 1866, the school has been struggling to cope with falling numbers for some time. It has 92 pupils, but capacity for 135.

It relocated to its current site in 2004.

Parents and staff were told of the closure three weeks ago.

One mother said: "This has left a lot of very upset staff and children."

The school had submitted a planning application to Tonbridge and Malling council back in November 2021 that would have allowed for the expansion of the school to a more sustainable number of 240 pupils, financed by the erection of 76 homes in the school grounds, but the application was withdrawn in May last year and permission was never granted.

Even back in November 2021, the school had warned it had been operating in an increasingly precarious financial position.

Headmistress Shiralee Davies said she was concentrating on finding replacement school places for her pupils.

Fees at the school range from £3,732 per term for reception-age pupils to £4,708 per term for Years 5 and 6.

There are around 28 members of staff.