The Staples brand is to disappear from the UK high street - including at its four Kent stores.

The stationery business been sold off by its US owners for a nominal sum to Hilco, which says it will phase out the name.

It is not clear what's planned for the 106 Staples branches, which employ around 1,100 staff.

Hilco said it would phase out the Staples brand in the UK as it only has the licence to use the name for six months.

Staples stores in Kent are at Chatham, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford and Canterbury.