Discount retailer B&M has announced plans to move into the former home of a Marks and Spencer store a year after it closed.

The Biggin Street site in Dover is to be taken over by the bargain chain in May with a new store opening in the summer.

The move will create more than 30 jobs.

It comes a day after it was revealed B&M is eyeing a takeover of a site currently occupied by Homebase in Sittingbourne.

A spokesperson from B&M said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of more jobs for local people and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

“We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door in the summer.”

Cllr Keith Morris, leader of Dover District Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome B&M to Dover town centre.

“Their new Biggin Street store will occupy one of the largest retail premises in the Old Town so this represents another big vote of confidence in Dover.”

B&M's arrival in Dover town centre is particularly welcome as the Biggin Street and Cannon Street precinct has a high proportion of empty units.

The precinct's Marks and Spencer closed on May 15 last year, the day before the smaller M&S Foodhall opened at the town's new St James' Retail and Leisure Park.

The new B&M store will undergo a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme.

Branded products will include toys, food & drink, pet range, health & beauty and homewares.

B&M already has a store at the Honeywood Retail Park in Dover and more than 600 in the UK plus in Germany under the JAWoll brand and Babou in France.