Roadworks in a town centre have been delayed for another three weeks - despite promises it would be finished before children went back to school.

The work on the A2 St Michael's Road in Sittingbourne will not be complete until at least October 22 - more than a month behind schedule.

Instead, a diversion has been created using Station Street and the link to West Street which will remain in place until the work has been done when it will be closed off.

The roadworks are part of the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration, a £57 million project which will eventually include an eight-screen cinema, restaurants such as Nandos and Pizza Express and a Travelodge hotel.

A spokesman said: "The completion date is slightly later than anticipated due to additional works required outside the control of contractors, including the removal of a structurally unsafe wall within the site.

"The completion of the second phase will see the opening of the newly realigned A2 and the opening of the taxi rank outside of Sittingbourne train station.

"This will deliver improved traffic and pedestrian flow in the town centre.

"As part of the completion of the phase two works, Station Street will permanently close to vehicle traffic at the northern end."

They added: "In the meantime, we remind residents that businesses in the high street and The Forum remain open for business, as they have throughout this summer’s roadworks.”

The new road layout will also see the old station roundabout being replaced with traffic lights.