Six Travelodge hotels have reopened in Kent today.

They mark the company's halfway milestone of bringing its 573-strong nationwide estate back into use.

Thermally disinfecting all linen and towels, housekeeping team members not entering customers rooms during their stay and numerous hand sanitiser stations are among the precautions in place.

Travelodge restaurants are yet to reopen and hot breakfasts are off the menu, but a takeaway service is available.

During peak lockdown, Travelodge kept 62 hotels open across the UK - including a Canterbury branch - to support key workers, vulnerable groups and local authorities.

The six to reopen today are:

• Ashford town centre, Elwick Lane
• Canterbury Dunkirk, A2
• Canterbury Whitstable, Thanet Way
• Chatham Maritime, Western Avenue
• Gravesend, Coldharbour Road
• Sittingbourne, Bourne Place

Spokeswoman for the chain, Shakila Ahmed, said: “We are delighted to reach the halfway milestone in our hotel reopening programme with the reopening of a further six properties in Kent.

"The hotels are open for business from this week and the team are set for a busy summer season as we welcome customers back.

"With safety at the forefront of our business, we have worked closely with our hotel teams that stayed open during the lockdown, government and industry bodies to develop our new Covid-19 safety programme called TravelodgeProtect+."

Read more: All the latest news from Kent