A new light installation is to open at a shopping centre, recognising Kent's status as The Garden of England.

Called The Garden of Light, shoppers at the Ashford Designer Outlet will be able to walk through the projected installation free of charge after it opens on Thursday, November 7.

Light, sound and scent will be employed to transport shoppers through the four seasons, starting in the winter.

When they walk into the installation, visitors will take in a snow-covered scene which turns into spring through bursts of blossom perfume.

Summer will be highlighted through a 10m-wide tree canopy and kaleidoscopic illumination.

Then autumn, the last season, will see visitors surrounded by falling leaves as they walk through the exit tunnel.

Centre manager Peter Corr said: “In celebration of the £90 million expansion opening this autumn, we wanted to offer visitors a brand-new experience.

"With The Garden of Light guests can expect to journey into a virtual garden of discovery, exploring nature’s four seasons represented through the power of light.

"We are committed to elevating our guests shopping experience and we are thrilled to be partnering with Projection Artwork to deliver a unique multi-sensory installation to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford.”

Its opening will coincide with the expansion's full opening, where all 50 new units will officially be unveiled next month.

Last week, centre bosses welcomed the public to the first phase of the expansion - shops such as Polo Ralph Lauren, UGG and Dr Martens have since started operating on the site.

Although entry to the Garden of Light will be free, donations will be welcome, all of which will go to the William Harvey Hospital to create a garden sanctuary for patients.

Riaz Farooq, creative director at Projection Artworks, said: “Producing The Garden of Light has truly been a creative journey through a multitude of artistic and technological disciplines.

"Collectively we have explored the boundaries of motion design and real-time graphics, effectively creating a living game-like environment, full of discovery and play.”

While free of charge, guests will be encouraged to donate after their time in the installation. The money will then go to William Harvey Hospital for a patients' garden sanctuary.

Booking is necessary via the website at www.ashforddesigneroutlet.com.

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