Margate Hebrew Congregation cancelled its Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services because of lack of numbers.

The Orthodox seaside community could once get a congregation of more than 100 at festival services. It now finds it almost impossible to attract a minyan.

“We would have loved to run a service but we don’t have the people,” explained synagogue chairman Geoffrey Gradus. “We can only get eight people together. It is very sad.”

Those who had died were not replaced as young Jews moved away “because there is nothing here for them”. For the few elderly Jews who remained, travelling to and from the synagogue was increasingly problematic.

With a family involvement in the synagogue stretching back more than 50 years, Mr Gradus is determined to keep it going. “My father was the president here and I’m staying put.”

The community is able to survive as it owns its building. Membership fees cover the fuel bills.

Four miles away in Ramsgate, Thanet and District Reform Synagogue is maintaining services, whose attendees are drawn from a wider area, including Canterbury.

“We managed to get between 30 to 40 people for the High Holy-Days,” reported Ian Smiler, the chairman. “We have a full programme of services in the week and our own rabbi.

“We have students that come and a membership of 50 to 60. It is a shame there is not a big enough community for the other shul. Members would be more than welcome to come here.”