A nightclub owner says he is ‘gobsmacked’ a charity turned down his donation of a £20,000 medical unit.

Trevor Modell, owner of Gallery in Bank Street, Maidstone, bought the NHS vehicle after hearing about the Urban Blue’s mechanical issues.

The drivable unit served the nation’s health service for six years and comes complete with treatment cubicles, heating and running water.

However, trustees and partners of the Urban Blue Bus group, who are often seen on Saturday evenings helping revellers after a night out, rejected the offer.

Val Jacobs, Trustee of Urban Blue Bus, said: “Whilst we gratefully acknowledge the generous offer from Gallery, following discussion with charity trustees and partners we regret that the vehicle proposed is not fit for our purpose and as such we trust that it can be donated to another worthy cause for whom it will be put to good and regular use.”

The Urban Blue Bus, sponsored by town centre nightclubs, was an initiative started by the late Paul Alcock in 2012 and the vehicle is manned by volunteers on the High Street over the weekend.

Volunteers and medics are on hand for revellers who may need help after a night out.

Following a Facebook post from Gallery making their donation public, The Urban Blue Bus group is keen for social media discussions to stop.

"I'm gobsmacked...even if it is not fit for purpose then why wouldn’t they just sell it on" - Trevor Modell

The spokesman added: “We respectfully request that the matter is no longer referenced on social media and that the family and friends of Mr Alcock are afforded the respect and peace they need following their recent bereavement.”

Mr Modell said: “I’m gobsmacked. Even if it is not fit for purpose then why wouldn’t they just accept it and sell it on if they need the money?

“We had this donation accepted and thrown back in our faces.

"This is despite being chased to pay for repairs on their existing bus.

"We viewed it as a tribute to Paul Alcock, the man who started it.”

Mr Modell, who took over Gallery Nightclub last year, is now on the lookout for any charities who would have a use for the medical unit.