Discounts, multi-buys and gifts will soon be offered to shoppers as an incentive to get them to spend their cash in Sittingbourne.

Following the successful launch of the Shop Local First card scheme in Sheerness, Swale council is now preparing to launch it in the town.

Businesses which sign-up will be encouraged to offer deals which customers can benefit from by simply showing their loyalty card at the time of purchase.

A free pack will be issued to retailers which includes a window sticker and a poster for them to display telling customers with a card what incentive they can expect. Cards will also be provided for new businesses to pass on to their customers.

Jill Read, Swale council's regeneration projects officer for major projects, will be speaking to businesses over the next two weeks to develop the Shop in Sittingbourne part of the scheme.

She said: "Traders have already signalled their interest in taking part.

"We know this will not solve the issues surrounding the high street alone but any help that the council can offer the retail association is going to be beneficial."

Cllr John Wright, Swale council's executive portfolio holder for regeneration, learning and skills, said: "This forms just a part of our commitment to working with local businesses in Swale.

"Shop Local First has received a positive response from traders in Sheerness and Sittingbourne traders have expressed a wish to take part in the scheme here.

"It is felt that extending the scheme will enable more people to use businesses and shops in their local areas and we obviously want to continue to help traders through these difficult financial times."

The idea for the project came from similar schemes in Thanet, Herne Bay and Whitstable and was put together after grant money was awarded to council by the Department for Communities and Local Government as part of a government initiative to support town centres.