A sports giant has thrown open its doors in Ashford.

Dozens of shoppers waited in County Square this morning for the opening of JD Sports, which has taken over the vacant Mothercare store.

The national chain – which started fitting out the store at the end of August – already has branches around Kent, including stores in Maidstone, Canterbury and Bluewater.

Mothercare closed in March after more than 40 years in Ashford, with the business focusing on out-of-town retail stores and online services rather than town centre locations.

The arrival of JD Sports has created between 15 and 20 jobs.