A multi-storey car park shut off since July is set to reopen before Christmas, council bosses have confirmed.

The 289-space Edinburgh Road car park in Ashford was cordoned off after concrete fell from the ceiling during summer's heatwave.

Town centre traders reported a big drop in footfall following the closure, with shoppers struggling to find a place to park.

But Ashford Borough Council has now confirmed plans to reopen the facility following a safety review.

"We are pleased to advise that a health and safety inspection has taken place and following review it has been agreed that the required works, in order to open Edinburgh Road car park, will commence as soon as possible," a spokesperson said.

“We are hoping for works to start in a few weeks’ time (late October) and anticipate taking approximately four to six weeks to complete.

"We would like to thank everyone for their patience while this review was taking place."

The adjacent Park Mall car park partially reopened in the summer, but ABC says the top of the car park will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

It is currently unclear why the top storey won't be used, or whether the notoriously unreliable lifts at Edinburgh Road will reopen before Christmas.