New Years Eve marks the closure of a village supermarket branch, which is set to close for up to 12 months so a bigger store can be built.

The Lidl supermarket in Haven Drive, Hawkinge, will be demolished and a new two-storey complex built in its place.

Its glass-fronted design has been described as “cutting edge” and the store is set to double in size.

There will be 106 car parking spaces, with seven disabled and three child spaces. There will also be four gaps for motorbikes.

The new shop will have more designated areas for fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry as well as chilled and baked goods.

Lidl spokesman Sophie Lambert-Russell said: “The store will be closing at the end of the day on New Year’s Eve and construction work will begin on the site early in the new year.

“The store is scheduled to open before the end of 2017.”

No specific time frame has been given.

The original Lidl store first gained permission from Shepway District Council planners in September 2005, with a small bakery extension then approved in 2013.

There have been several occasions where the front of the store has been flooded during heavy downpours, forcing temporary closure. But the German company says that the new build will be completely flood-proof.

The nearest Lidl branch is in Shellons Street, Folkestone.