Train stations are set to be "spruced up" as part of a £4.4 million package, including improving access and the "ambiance" of the buildings.

Upgrades such as removing steps and adding ramps will take place across east Kent.

The stations will see Canterbury East and Canterbury West, Faversham, Herne Bay and Margate given an overhaul.

At Canterbury West, design work is under way to help ease the congestion for passengers in the busy public areas around the station.

Meanwhile, at the city's other site, ramps to aid access for wheelchair users and an additional passenger information point and displays will also be installed to a "more suitable location for the new footbridge, lifts and night entrance".

New small ramps will make access to the waiting room easier for people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

Users at Faversham will notice its decoration being revamped and so will Herne Bay passengers as the booking hall and platforms will be redecorated to celebrate the architecture and heritage of the station.

Also at Herne Bay, toilets will be refurbished with an improved accessible toilet, and an extra passenger information point will be added.

Work at Margate will see a refurbishment of the booking hall and general decluttering, as well as historic restoration and improved staff accommodation.

This will also include work on the exterior of the building to return it to its original appearance and bring a retail unit back into use.

David Wornham, passenger services director for Southeastern, said: "Making stations step-free isn’t just about new lifts and footbridges, but often also about the smaller but just as important items such as removing barriers to the use of waiting rooms, and ensuring that customer help points and information screens are in the right places.

"Where possible, we’re also taking the opportunity to spruce up paintwork and improve the ambience of these stations, as well as taking the opportunity to plan for the future as people return to the railway."

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail Kent route director, added: "We are delighted to be making a significant investment into improving a number of stations across Kent in partnership with our colleagues at Southeastern.

"We are committed to improving the facilities at our stations and want our passengers to have the best possible experience when travelling by rail.

"Many of these improvements will contribute towards passengers enjoying smoother, more pleasant journeys and improve many of the station facilities passengers should be able to expect on a modern fit for purpose railway.

"The accessibility of the railway remains a key focus and it’s great that much of this investment will go towards making the railway even more accessible including refurbishing accessible toilets at many of these stations and installing new and refurbishing existing ramps."