One of Boots' stores in Kent is expected to avoid the axe after plans were announced by the toiletries retailer to shut 200 stores.

Rumours have abounded around Ashford for a couple of weeks that its pharmacy store will be closing, long before yesterday's news that hundreds of shops may close across the country.

The chain's American owner, Walgreens Boots Alliance, will be reviewing the outlets which could potentially shut in the next 24 months.

However, Boots has sought to deny rumours that Ashford's branch is amongst this number.

A spokesman for the company said: "There are no planned closures for the Boots store in Ashford.

"The store is open and trading as usual."

It's believed the towns most at risk of losing a Boots store are the ones with more than one store in the town.

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