Travelodge has set its sights on opening nine more hotels across Kent - as it hopes to capitalise on the increasing popularity of staycations.

The chain is looking for further sites in Canterbury and Herne Bay, having launched its first branch in Sandwich today.

It also wants premises in Bluewater, Dartford, Swanley, Folkestone, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tonbridge to be added to its expanding portfolio.

In all, the company believes its potential expansion across the Garden of England could represent a cash injection of £70 million and create up to 200 new jobs.

Chief development officer Steve Bennett said: "This county is growing from strength to strength and with more Britons holidaying at home, Kent is a top staycation destination.

"However, there remains a desperate need for good-quality and low-cost accommodation in the county and we want to fill this growing gap.

"Therefore, we are actively looking for a further nine hotel sites across the county.

"Our desired sites include a fourth hotel site in Canterbury and finding the ideal site to open Herne Bay’s first Travelodge."

Mr Bennett believes the creation of new sites in Canterbury and Herne Bay "will help attract new visitors to the areas and boost their local economies".

The latter has relatively few hotels, with just one major chain, Premier Inn, operating in the seaside town.

Meanwhile, Canterbury already has three branches of Travelodge dotted across the city.

The newly-opened site in Sandwich is the group's 17th in the county, and the town's first branded budget hotel.

Located in Discovery Park, the building comprises 75 rooms, a restaurant called The Bar Café and on-site parking.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent

Read more: All the latest news from Kent