One of the UK's largest arts and crafts retailers is coming to Medway.

Hobbycraft plans to open a store in the Strood Retail Park later this year – making it the first of its kind in the Towns.

It'll take over an unoccupied unit which was previously owned by Carpetright before it moved out in 2018.

A spokesman for Hobbycraft said: "We are delighted to confirm that our new store in Strood will open later this summer.

"We're looking forward to welcoming craft beginners and enthusiasts alike into our new store and will confirm more details closer to the opening day."

A planning application was issued to Medway Council for the company to instal new signs and branding to the derelict building. It is currently under review.

In September last year, Boots applied for planning permission to convert the site but plans have since been shelved.

Hobbycraft already has branches in Ashford, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Thanet and Orpington.

The exact opening date is yet to be revealed.

In 2019 police were called to the empty Carpetright unit after hundreds of people took part in an illegal rave.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway