Dozens of travellers have pitched up on an old supermarket site earmarked for a major regeneration project.

More than 20 vehicles are parked where Dartford's Co-op store used to be in Hythe Street, which the borough council has identified as the potential home for a cinema and hotel.

The site is owned by the council and police have issued the travellers with an eviction notice.

Details on the exact plans for Hythe Street are expected to emerge in the next few days, with an announcement to be made on who will be taking it on.

A spokesman for Dartford council said: “I can confirm that a developer has been appointed for the Co-op site in Dartford town centre.

"The company will be issuing a full press release in a few days’ time, so that is all I can tell you at the moment.”

It forms part of a huge redevelopment in the town centre, as the borough council has plenty of money to work with thanks to government funding of £4.3 million and £7.7 million from the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport Programme.