Tesco has announced it is to shut its branch in Sittingbourne's Forum Shopping Centre.

The supermarket giant released a statement today saying it had reached the "difficult decision" to close the Metro in the new year.

Tracey Clements, Tesco’s managing director for convenience said: "We have today announced to colleagues that we have taken the difficult decision to close our Sittingbourne Metro store.

"Our priority now is to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco.

"We would like to thank all our customers who have shopped in our store and we will continue to do our best to serve them through our Express stores on Canterbury Road and in Milton Regis.”

A Tesco spokesman said the closure followed a "detailed review".

The branch is due to shut on Saturday, January 6.