A stallholder who used to sell scarves in a shopping centre has moved to a permanent store in a bid to give people more choice.

Rekha Joshi opened Krini's Kreations in Ashford's County Square earlier this month in the unit previously used by Ashford News before it moved to a bigger shop next door.

Mrs Joshi used to sell her scarves between August and December on a stall outside the new shop and Waterstones, but decided to move to a permanent site so she could offer more items.

She now sells dresses, handmade jewellery, scarves, bags and hats which she hopes will give people more choice when shopping in the high street.

"I'm pleased to have this space because with the stall I was very limited," Mrs Joshi said.

"I could only have what was on display and I had quite a lot of demand for the stock.

"When I saw the unit was available, I took an opportunity and moved in.

"I have had a good response from customers because I sell stuff you don't find on the everyday high street.

"I have accessories which relate not just to Indian and Asian communities, but to anyone who likes it.

"Customers say they find it difficult to find accessories. There is the outlet which is too expensive, the shops are closing in town, so I saw that as an opportunity for me to do something.

"I want to add more to the collection because there is a large Asian community here, and they usually have to travel all the way to London to buy the nice stuff they want which can be time consuming."

Earlier this month, Next, which has a two-storey unit nearby in the shopping centre's extension, announced it would not be closing despite announcing earlier this year that it planned to leave town.

Shoppers were delighted by the news and Mrs Joshi feels this is good news for the town.

She said: "It's really good Next is staying but it would be nice to have some sort of unit in the empty Debenhams.

"Lots of things happen on the other side of the centre, but down here there is nothing driving the customers unless they are passing through so we definitely need something."

New owners were found for County Square earlier this year after the site was put on the market for £13.5m.