Discount supermarket Aldi says it is to plough more than £16.2million into new and upgraded across the county this year.

The chain's expansion plans include a new outlet in Kings Hill as well as an overall of its Dartford store. It has also submitted plans for a new store in Ashford.

It comes hot on the heels of the supermarket's pledge to create 2,000 permanent jobs in the UK this year - 161 of which will be in Kent between now and the end of the year.

Demand for cheaper shopping is likely to intensify given the current cost-of-living crisis.

Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK, said: “Now more than ever we’re seeing heightened demand for our prices.

“However, we know there are still areas that don’t have a store, or that need more to meet the increased customer demand we’ve witnessed in recent months. Our 2022 expansion plans are helping to achieve that.”