Two Kent outlets of a struggling bookshop chain are to open a new chapter as part of W H Smith.

The Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells branches of British Bookshops and Stationers, which went into administration last month, are among 22 shops bought by the national bookselling and stationery group.

Another store, just over the Kent border in Crowborough, is also part of the deal. The stores will continue to trade under the British Bookshops brand and staff will transfer to W H Smith.

However, there is still doubt over the future of other Kent outlets excluded from the deal.

They are all close to existing W H Smith stores, including Maidstone, Ashford and Canterbury, and their prospects do not look good.

But administrators at recovery specialists Zolfo Cooper said they were "still actively pursuing other options" for these stores.

Simon Appell, a partner with Zolfo Cooper, said: "We are pleased to have been able to safeguard the iconic British Bookshops & Stationers brand through the sale of 22 stores.

"We would like to thank all staff across the business for their continued professionalism during this difficult period and wish British Bookshops & Stationers all the best moving forwards."