A DOZEN jobs have been created with the opening of a Lush store in Maidstone. The 49th UK store in the Lush chain of handmade cosmetics opened in King Street.

Shops on this corner site have come and gone over the years but store manager Claire Hilt said: "We're here to stay."

Ann Widdecombe, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, is due to officially open the new outlet on Friday afternoon (October 3). A Lush spokeswoman said: "Location is very important and we believe we have a very good location in Maidstone."

There are plans to take on more staff in the run-up to Christmas. The King Street outlet is the second Lush store in Kent. The other is at Bluewater, near Dartford.