Supermarket giant Asda has gone head-to-head with rival Lidl's plans to build its first store in Medway.

The German chain wants to build a new multi-million pound branch in Gillingham just 500 metres from Asda's existing shop.

Medway Council planning officers have recommended approval for the application which has attracted six letters of objection, including two from Asda.

The company says Lidl's proposals - sandwiched between Medway Road and Pier Road - from their competitors will not benefit customers and residents.

One letter of objection they sent to the local authority said: "Asda's store at Gillingham Pier is positioned less than 0.5km to the north of the application site.

"The Asda store plays an important role employing local colleagues and takes its role in the local community seriously.

"We do not object to competition, in fact it believes customers benefit from greater choice, but this choice must be in the right location and meet all the necessary policy tests in order to provide those benefits, which this proposal does not."

The application will be discussed by councillors a week today at the council's headquarters at Gun Wharf in Chatham.

Some criticisms of the development claimed there was "no need for more supermarkets in Medway", while another suggested empty shops in the High Street should be used instead.

Other locations considered for the new supermarket, which were later ruled out, were the Pentagon Shopping Centre, Trafalgar Centre in Chatham, land off Jeffrey Street, Gillingham, and more.

A total of 13 letter of support were sent in for the proposal as "a new supermarket would be popular with residents and students" and how the development would create around 40 new jobs.

Lidl's regional property director, Oliver McGuinness, said: "If granted this would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area, and the creation of new jobs when our new store opens.

"We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and feedback so far and look forward to receiving the decision in due course.”

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