Co-op has been announced as the first big name to be set up at Ebbsfleet Garden City.

The convenience store will take the first of five retail units in the Eastern Quarry.

Ebbsfleet Garden City has expanded to feature more than 1,300 homes, a new primary school, pub and hotel.

Co-op will set up in the new Castle Hill local centre, which is currently being created by Newcrest, a real estate developer, and the remaining four units will be revealed in the coming months.

It comes as building for 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail alongside 46 apartments and 10 townhouses, is currently underway and is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Regional acquisitions manager for Co-op, Craig Smith, said: "We’re looking forward to opening a new store in Castle Hill. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to provide shoppers with our wide range of award-winning food.”

Newcrest directior Quinton Hill-Lines added: “We are always delighted to work with the Co-op and Castle Hill is one of a number of successful stores that we have developed for them in the past.”

Plans for a second pub and hotel are due to be submitted early this year, as well as plans for a £55 million primary and secondary school in Eastern Quarry.