The success of the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend is set to boost the county’s reputation in the media industry and bring more work to the County Town, according to a studio boss.

The event starring Madonna and a host of rock bands brought 35,000 to Mote Park, Maidstone.

They gave the local economy a temporary boost by spending money in shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants.

But Geoff Miles, head of Maidstone Studios, says the benefits will be long-lasting, with more media jobs coming to the area on the back of the event, its smooth operation, and widespread publicity.

Maidstone Studios is home to around 25 media companies, with up to 400 people working there on various projects.

Around 300 media firms work within 20 miles of the studios and several were involved in the Big Weekend. Mr Miles is promoting the idea of a Media Village centred on the County Town.

The studios host the Trisha Goddard Show, and produce a string of hit shows, including Supermarket Sweep and 1 vs 100.

It also hosted the Big Weekend after-show party attended by 2,400 revellers on the Saturday (10) night and Sunday (11) morning.

"Everyone loved it so we proved it can work as a venue," Mr Miles said.

"It was a great weekend and Maidstone and Kent were plastered all over BBC1 and Radio 1 for the last five to six weeks. Hopefully off the back of this, we will see the area taken seriously as a great centre of the media industry."

Mr Miles added: "London is no longer the centre of the universe as far as broadcasting media is concerned. I think we will see more companies getting work from the Big Weekend.

"It’s getting out there now that Maidstone isn’t a little backwater and that is part of what the Big Weekend will say. Maidstone is a place to be reckoned with."

He called on local officials to build on that reputation. ""We now need to see Maidstone standing up and saying we are open for business."