DARTFORD has been chosen by retail guru Mary Portas to receive a share of £1.2m to bring the high street back to life.

The borough is one of 12 Portas Pilots to benefit from expert advice and financial support.

Dartford will open up spaces for use by classes and clubs, from the Scouts to Slimming World.

It will expand market trading days, offer bursaries to set up market stalls and give free pitches to startup companies.

There will also be training for local business owners and an empty unit will be reopened as a 'social networking shop' for trades to share knowledge and offer their services.

Council leader, Councillor Jeremy Kite, said: "We are absolutely thrilled. Obviously the work starts now.

"One of the things we have got to do is to see this as a spring board of optimism."

He added: "We have got to find a new use of the high street that doesn't demand old style shopping."

More than 370 towns from across the country applied for the scheme.

Unsuccessful applicants are being put forward for a second round, which will see 12 additional pilots announced by the end of July.

Mary Portas said: "I've been deeply touched by both the quality and creativity of the bids and the momentum Britain's first town teams have generated in just a few short weeks.

"It is now clearer to me than ever that Britain wants its town centres revitalised and the energy and accountability for that needs to rest with the people who live and do business there."