Most of the M&S staff at the two Kent stores facing closure will be able to keep their jobs - but it has not been revealed where the new roles will be based.

Around 90 jobs were put at risk after the retail giant announced closures of its town centre stores in Ashford and Deal yesterday.

But now, the company has confirmed that the majority of colleagues will be transferred to other stores in the county.

A company spokeswoman said: "M&S will be speaking to each colleague individually about what this means for them.

"M&S will work hard to redeploy or offer redeployment to colleagues and it is expected that the majority of colleagues will stay with M&S.

"These discussions will be part of the consultation process."

The company has not yet confirmed where the staff will be placed.

The M&S Foodhall in the Warren Retail Park and the Designer Outlet clothing shop are the nearest stores for staff working in Ashford.

The closest branch for those working in Deal is the new Foodhall in Dover, which opened last year.

The proposed closures are part of M&S's programme to reshape its UK store estate.

Last May, the company confirmed it would close about 100 stores across the country over the next four years.

Claire Denning, M&S head of region for the south east, said: “Proposing to close M&S Ashford was a difficult decision and over the coming weeks we’ll be speaking to our colleagues individually about what is best for them.

“We remain committed to serving customers at our Foodhall in Warren Retail Park Ashford, which offers our clothing and home products via click & collect, and also at our Ashford Outlet store.

"Additionally, we are continuing to invest in the wider area with our new store in Maidstone due to open next year.”

It comes as more than 1,000 people in Deal have signed a petition to try and save their store.

No other M&S stores in Kent are set to close, a spokesman confirmed.