A popular shopping centre is set to reopen with extended hours and outdoor seating.

Westwood Cross in Broadstairs will be welcoming back shoppers as non-essential stores reopen on Monday - including Next, River Island and Debenhams.

Some shops will be staying open later than usual so that people can have more choice of when to visit.

Boots and M&S will be open until 8pm; JD Sport, New Look, Primark, TK Maxx and Homesense open until 9pm; and Footasylum open until 10pm on weeknights.

Shoppers will also be able to dine al fresco at Ask Italian, Bella Italia, Frankie & Benny’s, McDonald's, Nando’s and Costa Coffee from Monday.

This follows the creation of new and extended outdoor dining areas.

Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Subway and Coffee Corner will continue to offer takeaway beverages and food-to-go.

Westwood Cross centre manager Fran Donovan said: "We are extremely excited to welcome shoppers back to Westwood Cross and to see the centre lively again.

"With plenty of outdoor dining areas, three new pop-up parks and many of our stores operating extended opening hours throughout April, we have everything shoppers need for a relaxing, safe and fun day out."

The shopping centre will be giving away 250 packs of wildflower seeds to customers throughout the first week of reopening as a welcome back gift.

Also announced is a week-long programme of socially distanced and spring-related walkabout entertainment.

Covid-19 health and safety policies will remain in place at Westwood Cross, including heightened security and strict cleaning regimes across the centre as well as a one-way system, queue management, informative floor vinyl and hand sanitation stations.

Customers have been advised to check the shopping centre's website for the latest opening times and for more information.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet