Closing down sales have begun at Homebase stores across Kent after the brand fell into administration.

The DIY giant with eight branches in the county announced it was in troubled waters on November 14.

It also revealed 70 of its stores had been snapped up by group CDS, which owns The Range and Wilko, securing the future of up to 1,600 jobs.

Six Kent locations - Broadstairs, Chatham, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells - are all on the market.

It is still unclear what the future of these retailers, or the others in Sevenoaks and Sittingbourne, will hold.

But now, ‘closing down sale’ signs have appeared in shop windows across the country.

Pictures posted on social media show notices outside the branch at Westwood Cross in Broadstairs stating: “All stock reduced, everything must go”.

In response, residents shared their sadness as the closing down sale kicked off with items going for between 10% to 50% off.

Pauline Hardiman-Plant commented: “This is so very sad.

“I always use this store for units, paint, Christmas decorations and gardening bits.”

Julie Ferguson added: “It’s sad it's going and sad for the staff too.

“We’re slowly losing essential places which gives competition to others.

“Let's hope it's not left as an empty building.”

However, not everyone is so disappointed to see the shop go.

One commenter wrote: “I’m not surprised.

“Like B&Q, they refuse to embrace the times and offer no loyalty to trades.”

Similarly, Demi Robinson said: “Even with the closing down sale, there is lots of stuff that is overpriced.

“It’s hard for families to justify spending money when it’s £12 for one holiday cushion.”

Homebase has 130 branches across the UK.

It has not been revealed which shops have been purchased by The Range.

Banking giant Wells Fargo declined to extend the group’s lending facility due to concerns about its finances.

Homebase has been approached for comment.