Lidl moved a step closer to opening a new store in Dartford last night after plans received the green light.

Dartford council's planning committee approved a planning application to convert the former police station in Instone Road into a supermarket.

It means the German retailer could join rivals Aldi after the company opened at the Orchard Shopping Centre last Thursday.

The application is for a retail store with 81 car parking spaces. Six apartments, a mix of two and three bedrooms, will also be built above the supermarket.

In April 2012, Lidl were refused an earlier application to build a store over fears it could hinder town centre regeneration in Dartford.

The site was also identified as a key priority area for new houses.

But the authority's objections have been addressed in the latest set of plans, according to a council document.

The council's planning committee met last night at the Civic Centre.