A 24-HOUR shopping and fuel venture is creating 150 jobs in Kent.

Margram Plc, based in Milton Keynes, is developing brownfield sites in strategic roadside locations, many jointly with McDonalds.

Two developments have already opened in Medway, one in Sittingbourne, and a further three are planned across the county.

The Supermart, BP filling station and car wash at Anthony's Way, close to the Medway Tunnel, opened two months ago, creating 25 jobs. Similar outlets have opened in Beechings Way, Gillingham, and Bobbing Roundabout, Sittingbourne, creating a further 50 jobs.

Three others are planned at Minster, near Ramsgate, the A21 at Pembury, and Branbridge's Industrial Estate, East Peckham, with 75 jobs.

The supermarkets are all no more than 3,000 square feet, enabling them to offer round-the-clock - Christmas Day included - refreshments and meals, as well as stocking 5,000 essential lines.

The company said that most transactions involved non-fuel items. It was cashing in on changing demographics, as more people led busy lives and wanted round-the-clock convenience.

Margram's managing director John Bryant said the company planned to roll out 30 outlets across southern England over the next year or two.

Kent and Medway were a key part of a £100 million investment strategy. About a fifth - £20m - is being invested in the county.

"We recognised the increasing amount of investment going into the Medway Towns," he said. "There's terrific growth and we are very excited about the potential. All three sites are doing better than our projections."

Each outlet was already exceeding expectations and on target to hit the average £7.5 million turnover mark.

Mr Bryant was impressed with the intelligence and loyalty of the local workforce. "The quality is probably better than anywhere else in the country," he said.

Margram has no intention of sticking at six outlets in the county. David Davis, company chairman, said: "In Kent, there could be 100. It's just a question of having the land available and to be able to develop the site."