Seven traveller and gypsy sites will see investment and improvements after council chiefs secured almost £4 million in government funding.

The cash comes from a £10m pot earmarked by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for upgrades to sites across the country.

Kent County Council submitted bids totalling £3.8m for what it describes as "essential improvements and maintenance" at each of its seven traveller sites and was successful in each case.

In a report to the leader of the council, Simon Jones, KCC corporate director for growth, environment and transport, hailed the success in securing the extra cash

He said: "The award of this funding is a great success for the gypsy and traveller service and the approval of all seven bids is outstanding.

"It provides a unique opportunity to refurbish our sites which would not be possible without this funding.

"This project will greatly improve the sites for our residents and ensure that KCC fulfils its legal responsibilities as landlord."

The government grant will be added to with £250,000 from the county council's own budget across the sites it manages in Dover, Aylesford, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Dunton Green, Sittingbourne and West Malling.

Announcing the funding last year, the then-communities minister Kemi Badenoch said: "It's vital that everyone has access to the kind of services that offer the best support.

"So these new and improved sites will give travellers easier routes to healthcare, education, and employment.

"This funding is just one of the ways the government is improving opportunities for communities across the country."

It is hoped the investment will help reduce the number of unauthorised encampments and reduce tensions in the communities when travellers pitch on land not designated for their use.