FROZEN food retailer Iceland has given Herne Bay and Whitstable a jobs boost after buying the former Woolworths stores.

Nearly 50 jobs were lost with the demise of the branches but dozens of new positions will be created with the opening of the food shops.

They are among 51 Woolworth locations, largely in the south east, acquired by the company but do not include the Canterbury and Faversham stores where 77 staff were made redundant.

See this week's Herne Bay Gazette and Whitstable Gazette for full report.