Another Asda Express branch has opened in the county after the chain’s multi-million-pound takeover of several former Co-ops.

The petrol station site in City Way, Rochester, welcomed customers yesterday under the supermarket giant’s convenience branding.

Last year, the chain bought 132 Co-op sites in a £438 million deal as part of plans to become the country's second-largest supermarket.

Asda announced it would be converting 116 convenience stores and attached petrol station forecourts.

Managing director of convenience at Asda, Andy Perry, said: “This conversion programme is an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.

“We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value in fuel and groceries to many more communities across the UK and to welcoming over 2,000 former Co-op colleagues to the Asda family in the coming months.”

The converted Asda Express will stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products which are said to be almost 9% cheaper than the Co-op.

Elsewhere in the county, Bobbing Corner petrol station, in Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne, will reopen tomorrow.

The first in the county opened two weeks ago in Tothill Street, Minster, and other Kent stores set to reopen as Asda Express include Swanley High Street, Salters Cross, in Strood, and Beechings Way, in Twydall.

It is expected all the new sites will be converted by March next year with about 2,300 workers currently employed by Co-op stores transferring to Asda.