Plans for a new Marks and Spencer store are currently on display for the public.

An exhibition for the proposed supermarket, which will be built at Eclipse Park near junction 7 of the M20 near Maidstone, is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Bearsted Road until 8pm tonight.

If plans going ahead, the new shop will feature a food hall, clothing, home ware and a café, and could create 300 full and part time jobs.

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Developer Gallagher Properties and the supermarket chain say the new store will have a 'striking' appearance, incorporating local Kentish ragstone.

Nick Yandle, Gallagher chief executive, said: "On the website, as of last night, 9% had objected and the balance were all in favour and those who objected were concerned about highways from a high level point of view.

"I don't think there's anybody that I have heard who's not excited about the prospect of this because it complements the NEXT store as well and it becomes a bit of a destination for people.

"It represents an investment of about £25m which is quite sizeable particularly in the environment we are in today so from Maidstone's point of view it's a major coup."

Mr Yandle's impression of the response to the proposals is also reflected in those attending the exhibition.

Grove Green resident Graeme Wyles, 68, who was visiting the exhibition said: "I'm delighted that M&S feel that they can invest in Maidstone with an expanded store.

"The designs looks good. The real major concern is all around traffic volume and traffic flow.

"No matter that we are told when we speak to the M&S people that the traffic flows won't be a problem I find that difficult to believe. I can't believe that a store like M&S will not attract huge volumes of footfall."

Bernie Dunn, 71, from Maidstone, said: "We're quite impressed with what the proposed plans are. We would very much like to see a much better Marks and Spencer in Maidstone.

"The current one doesn't offer the same choices as Blue Water or Hempstead and this will give people in Maidstone a better choice of products."

M&S formed the proposal after Waitrose pulled out of plans to build a similar store after being granted permission by Maidstone Borough Council in May 2017.

The new store is designed to fill a similar footprint with a 300 space car park, including accessible and parent and child spaces.

The firm hopes to submit a planning application later this month with a view to start work on the site this summer and then to open in autumn 2019.

To find out more about the plans click here.