B&Q is to close 60 stores in the UK in a bid to fight a dip in sales in the DIY market.

The move - equivalent to a sixth of all its stores - comes after the appointment of a new chief executive at B&Q's parent company Kingfisher.

But it's not yet known how many, if any, of the stores to be axed will be in Kent.

It's already known that the store on the Strood Retail Park will shut, and be replaced with five smaller units over two floors.

The retail giant hasn't yet confirmed whether it will take on one of the smaller stores there.

As part of the move nationally 15% of "surplus" space will be lost, including the shrinking of six stores.

That would put 3,000 jobs at risk across the country, but Kingfisher hopes to move 1,500 positions to other B&Q stores and a further 900 staff to Screwfix, which it also owns.