Crowds of people arrived from near and far for the opening of the new, extended, new Marks & Spencer store in Sevenoaks which welcomed customers for the first time today.

The long-awaited store opening revealed brand new womenswear, menswear and kidswear departments as well as an enhanced food hall, bakery and M&S cafe.

The opening comes following years of deliberation and weeks of preparation and customers arrived in hordes - despite the torrential rain and gusts of wind.

Those visiting the store had the opportunity to receive a free coffee in the Café by putting old items of clothing into the store’s ‘Shwop Drop’ box as part of the M&S Shwopping initiative.

It provides clothing to Oxfam to be resold, reused or recycled. Customers were also able to sample a tempting selection of freshly baked products from the Bakery.

Store manager Jon Reddie said the store brings the best that M&S has to offer to shoppers in Sevenoaks.

He added: “It is great to finally invite customers into the relocated and extended store and show them what we have been working on for the past few months.

"The feedback from our customers on all of the new features has been very positive so far, with the Food Hall and Womenswear department being key talking points. We look forward to welcoming customers into the store over the weeks and months to come.”

Customers who attended to explore the new store were delighted with the offer. Sylvia Williams from Sevenoaks said: "I have been looking forward to the store coming to Sevenoaks and, from what I have seen so far today, it’s brilliant!

"I also think that the outside of the store looks great and is in keeping with the local area."

Janet Cory from Guildford said: "I have always loved Marks & Spencer and I have travelled down especially today to see the new Sevenoaks store. I am so impressed by the store features such as the high ceilings and lighting. You can really tell that every detail has been considered."

Joan Ingram from Kemsing said: "We have all been wondering for months what the new store will look like and it's so exciting to be able to finally come in. No store offers as much variety as M&S does and I really believe that the store will bring a fresh vibrancy to Sevenoaks."