Three jobcentres in Kent are to close after government bosses announced plans to save money.

Centres in Herne Bay, Whitstable and Tunbridge Wells are all to shut their doors following a public consultation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Unemployed people using the Herne Bay and Whitstable sites will be forced to travel to Canterbury to sign on, while Tunbridge Wells residents will be directed to Tonbridge.

The government claims it needs fewer offices to cover the whole country because people tend to submit their claims for benefits online.

However, unemployed claimants are still required to attend Jobcentres at least every two weeks.

Minster for employment Damian Hinds said: "We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work.

"These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online resulting in many of our buildings being underused.

"We’re merging some offices and locating other jobcentres with local authorities to make sure that the welfare state and our employment support works for those who need it and those who pay for it."

Staff at the Herne Bay and Whitstable sites will be transferred to Canterbury, with Tunbridge Wells workers switching to Tonbridge.