Plans for a £1.5million revamp of Maidstone's bus station are just a few months away.

The station, which runs underneath The Mall and alongside to Sainsbury's, has long been earmarked for an overhaul.

John Foster, Maidstone Borough Council's head of regeneration and economic development says the council is putting the finishing touches on its plan.

He added: "The authority has set aside some funding and we've now commissioned architects to redesign the station.

"We're hoping it can go to planning at the end of the year."

The council's chosen architects are thought to have been paid around £80,000 to come up with new plans for the Pad's Hill transport bas, which dates back to the 1960s and links King Street and Romney Place.

Mr Foster said: "The station is run down, dirty and well past its sell by date.

"We want to bring in new technology and improve the lighting so some natural light can get in there.

"There are a lot of opportunities to improve it."

It comes as the council revealed it hoped to build around 400 homes next to Maidstone East.

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