A landmark hotel is due to open its multi-million pound expansion at the end of February next year.

The new look for the Premier Inn at Cherry Garden Lane off the A20 in Folkestone is finally set to be revealed after owner Whitbread gained full planning permission for the extension in 2016.

Builders have been seen on site in recent weeks at the Channel Tunnel hotel, and spokeswoman Emily Barnes confirmed this week that Whitbread is aiming to open the extension at the end of February 2019.

She added that workmen have started erecting the timber frame on site.

The extension will increase the number of bedrooms by 46, bringing the total number to 127 bedrooms overall.

The hotel is a common pit stop for motorists heading to the continent via Eurotunnel or the Port of Dover.

Graham Hedley, project and programme manager at Whitbread, said in August: "By making this investment – of approximately £3.5million – we will be able to meet increasing customer demand for accommodation in this popular location and bring more visitors to the area.

"Construction of the extension is scheduled to begin once the demolition works of the drive-thru restaurant on Cherry Garden Lane have been successfully completed.

"The new bedrooms will then open to customers in spring 2019."

The Burger King drive-thru restaurant closed at the end of June.