A town's new multi-storey car park is set to open in a matter of weeks.

Work on the 317-space block in Sittingbourne, off St Michael’s Road, began in May with asbestos-lined water mains being removed and, in September, the first part of the steel frame was installed at the site.

Five months on, Swale council says the project, which is part of the multi-million pound town centre regeneration, is to be completed by April.

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The work is being carried out by German firm Huber and overseen by the council.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles (Con) gave an update in his leader’s statement, during a full council meeting.

He said: “Cladding has started on the multi-storey car park, giving it a dramatic look in its oyster white shell, with colours reflecting through the openings from each floor.

“We anticipate this to be open to the public by April 2019.”

Spirit of Sittingbourne, the consortium behind the £57 million revamp of the town, said it was delighted the regeneration scheme was now well underway, with work on the leisure quarter progressing on time.

This part of the project will include an eight-screen cinema, 63-bed Travelodge hotel and big-name restaurants such as Nando’s and Pizza Express.

A spokesman said: “The laying of the foundations for the units on site is almost complete, allowing our contractors to begin constructing the frames for the buildings.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll also be erecting new hoardings around the site which will show images of what Bourne Square will look like after completion.

“We appreciate the patience of the people of Sittingbourne as we continue the regeneration, which will deliver over £300m of investment into the town.

He added: “The opening of the multi-story car park will provide more car parking spaces for visitors, helping to attract more footfall for businesses on the High Street and in The Forum.”

He said measures had been taken to let people know local businesses remained open.

Work on the leisure complex began at the end of November.

The buildings that will house the cinema, restaurants and hotel are expected to be completed in November or December this year, with the units set to be fitted out and opened in early 2020. Once complete, the Spirit of Sittingbourne project is expected to attract up to 400,000 visitors a year.