A fast-food chain is to join the ranks at one of Kent's most popular shopping centres replacing a Lebanese restaurant which shut in the summer.

Slim Chickens is to launch its latest branch at Ashford Designer Outlet in December.

The fast-casual eatery, which was founded in Arkansas back in 2003, will fill the now-vacant Comptoir Libanais unit.

With 60 shops currently on its books across the UK, Ashford will also become the third Slim Chickens restaurant to open in Kent alongside its other branches in Sevenoaks and at Bluewater Shopping Centre.

The American-style brand specialises in fresh, homemade Southern-inspired dishes in what it describes as containing "authentic flavours" for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

These include buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders, wings, wraps, as well as a selection of 14 dipping sauces.

The company says its Ashford restaurant and takeaway will open in early December.

Once trading, it will create 65 new jobs and offer seating for more than 150 guests.

It will join the likes of hospitality giants Nandos, Five Guys and Yo! Sushi at the McArthurGlen shopping mall.

Slim Chickens' head of operation Ben Blore said: "We’re thrilled to bring Slim Chickens to Ashford in just six weeks.

"Our team has been dedicated to making sure every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest.”

The shop will open just weeks after the outlet hosts its first Christmas market.

The site won a bid for nine festive huts selling “gourmet food” and “bespoke gifts” from mid-November to Christmas Eve following approval by Ashford council planning officers in August.