Deal has been awarded High Street of the Year as part of a national newspaper’s campaign.

The Daily Telegraph has announced the winner as part of its Reinventing the High Street campaign.

Esme Chilton, member of the Deal Town Team said: "I've just been jumping up and down, we're so excited.

"We have worked so hard for so long and believing so strongly in the high street and how unique and brilliant it is, now we're just so pleased."

The town was chosen by a panel of judges chaired by MP Brandon Lewis, the minister for local government.

Other panelists included Amanda Callaghan, corporate affairs director at the British Retail Consortium, William Grimsey, former Focus, Wickes and Iceland CEO, Liz Hunt, associate editor of The Daily Telegraph and Kylie O’Brien, Editor, Weekend, The Daily Telegraph.

Mrs Chilton added: "It's wonderful to have that recognition, we all know how great the high street shops are in Deal but now it's like our little secret has been shared with the country which is great news for Deal."

Throughout the year, Daily Telegraph readers were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite high streets and debate on their future.

From a shortlist of ten, it was finally announced that Deal is the proud winner.

Read the full story and reactions in next week's East Kent Mercury.