A large River Island store is set to open in Maidstone's Fremlin Walk shopping centre.

The fashion brand will relocate from its current spot in Week Street to a bigger building around the corner in the more modern part of town.

The company has signed a lease with M&G Real Estate, which purchased the shopping centre in late 2014, committing to stay in Maidstone for 10 years. It will occupy the former Next store.

Scott Linard, director of asset management at M&G Real Estate said: "River Island joins Fremlin Walk at a time of continued retailer interest in the shopping centre.

"Our first year of ownership was a very successful one with many new national brands arriving at the centre, adding to a strong line-up of shops and eateries that give our customers more reason to return time and time again."

River Island, which has 350 shops across the UK, is moving to a 13,000 sq ft store.

Other shops in Fremlin Walk include a 100,000 sq ft House of Fraser, Superdry, Zara, Topshop, H&M, Schuh, Bill’s, Patisserie Valerie and Pret a Manger.

It is set to open at the end of April.