An MP has requested an urgent meeting with bosses at M&S to try and get them to reconsider their plans to close stores in Deal and Ashford.

Deal and Dover representative Charlie Elphicke revealed he has asked for a meeting with company bosses to try and get them to change their minds about closing the high street stores.

The retail giant announced plans yesterday to close its Ashford and Deal high street stores which leaves 41 workers uncertain about their jobs in Ashford and 45 in Deal.

But the company says that most are expected to be redeployed.

Mr Elphicke tweeted: "This store has served our community for 80 years and is a vital part of our fantastic high street."

Last May, the company confirmed it would close about 100 stores across the country over the next four years.

In Ashford there is still a Foodhall in Warren Retail Park and the Outlet store at the Designer Outlet centre, in Kimberley Walk.

The Ashford store, which is closing, opened in 1934 and is a leasehold property.

People living in the Deal area can still use a new Foodhall at St James Street Retail Park in Dover.

Shoppers in both towns said they were devastated by the news of the closures.

And Jo James from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which is based in Ashford, said the closure of the store in the town would be a real blow to the town centre.

She said: "It'll be a massive blow and will give people less reason to come into the town centre."

Peter Jull, chairman of Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade, also said he had concerns about the future of the whole high street in the seaside town.

The store in Deal was opened in 1937 and is also a leasehold property.

Mr Jull said: "It was always understood that the Deal store outperformed what should be expected of a catchment area the size of Deal, but clearly things have changed.

"The loss of an anchor store like M&S gives cause for concern for the future vitality of the whole high street."

A M&S spokesman said of the Ashford and Deal staff: "M&S will be speaking to each colleague individually and will work hard to redeploy or offer redeployment to colleagues, and it is expected the majority of colleagues will stay with M&S."