A national bank has opened its 65th town centre store today, with grand opening events set to last for two days.

The latest Metro Bank branch in Ashford has been under construction since August, with bosses transforming the former Clintons card shop unit which had sat empty since July last year.

Bosses have renovated the building at the entrance to County Square, installing a new glass frontage at the two-storey building after stripping back brickwork above the entrance.

Launching at 10am this morning, the store is bringing 25 permanent jobs to the town centre and will provide users with 1,000 safety deposit boxes.

Metro will be offering a raft of activities on Friday and Saturday to welcome the Ashford branch’s first customers.

The free events include free manicures, face-painting, shoe shining, live music, popcorn and dog shows.

When launched in 2010, Metro Bank was the first High Street bank to be licensed in 150 years.

Iain Kirkpatrick, the lenders' head of retail banking, said: "Kent is a new area that we think has been historically underserved by other banks.

"The new outlet is fantastic. It's a great addition to the high street and the community in Ashford has made us feel very welcome.

"We aim to make our branches feel different when people come in. The fact we have a physical presence, we have a lot of staff to help customers and we're open seven days a week differentiates us from our competitors. We have toilets for customers with baby-changing facilities and we welcome people in with dogs and bikes, it's these things that make us unique.

"(The cost of construction) is almost an irrelevant figure. It's more important for us that the store's designed in a way to entice customers and if you invest in a 25 year lease, it's vital that it's done properly.

"We've had great support from the local council and we think that bringing a new outlet and footfall to the town is an important thing. We're invested in being a part of the community."

"The warm welcome we’ve received from both residents and businesses alike has been overwhelming and I know the entire team here at Metro Bank Ashford can’t wait to show the rest of the community just what makes our award-winning banking experience so different."

The High Street branch will also educate nearby schoolchildren, as staff members visit schools and welcome classes into the outlet to facilitate the Key Stage 2 and 3 curriculum. The bank also hopes to teach youngsters about saving money and bank operations.

Mayor of Ashford Cllr Jessamy Blanford, who cut the ribbon alongside Damian Green MP, said: "It's got a very key place in the High Street and I'm hoping it's going to be very welcoming to people because often banks are a bit stiff, but they all seem very friendly here.

"They've completely redone this building inside because it's the old Clinton Cards shop but you wouldn't know that from the way it looks now.

"We always need new blood coming in and something to bring new people into the town and I think Metro Bank will do that."

Damian Green MP said: "I'm delighted for two reasons. First of all it's good to have more competition in any industry, and to have a new bank in Ashford that adopts a new style where it's almost going back to old-style banking where they want to talk to their customers when most banks now do it all online.

"Also, even more, I'm delighted to help open something in the High Street. We've all worked very hard to keep the High Street vibrant against some headwinds.

"Online shopping and so on have made high streets a difficult place to do business so it's really good to have a new bank in the High Street that will attract people to it.

"They're a growing, enthusiastic company. They're pleased to be in Ashford and they want to make themselves a part of the community here and so I think they're hugely welcome in Ashford and it'll be good for all of us."

The new branch will open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.