A Sittingbourne DIY shop is to be one of the first in the country to be converted into a Bunnings Warehouse.

The Australian firm bought Homebase last year in a multimillion-pound deal and is set change its stores across the UK in a number of phases.

Bunnings Warehouse opened two flagship shops in St Albans and has new stores in Hemel Hempstead, also in Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes coming soon.

The company has put in a planning application for new signs to be put up at the Mill Way store, which will also be refurbished.

The application mentions that it would “secure new employment” but it is not yet known how many job opportunities will be opened up.

Bunnings was unable to provide further comment, except to say another store was opening in Folkestone in July.