THE NEXT few years open a "magic window" of opportunity for Kent county and its "Go To" people, a county councillor has predicted.

The opening of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the launch of faster trains, and a possible Olympic Games in London in 2012, will all bring publicity and great chances for the economy to leap forward.

Launching the latest Kent Economic Report in County Hall, Maidstone, Cllr Alex King, Kent County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said Kent and Medway had never had such a wonderful opportunity.

"A magic window begins now and runs through the rest of this decade and, if London succeeds in its Olympic bid, beyond," he said.

He claimed Kent "could do better," and still lagged behind some of its South East neighbours, but was poised for a "step change." It had laid the foundations and the "stepping stones" were in place.

Cllr King, who has frequently said he wants Kent to become a Garden of England "fit for the 21st Century," added: "In 20 years, this economy has undergone dramatic change.

"When people say "well, it ain't done as well as parts to the West of London," the reality is that it started from an enormously low base and has come up to what I believe is a jumping off point for the future."

He urged business people and others to become involved in the campaign to exploit the "magic window”.

Taking up his theme of "Go To" people, an expression used about the late Bill Rouse, founder of Rouse Kent, developers of Kings Hill business and housing park at West Malling, he said he county needed "Go To" people from all walks of life to make it happen.

"Kent Plc is about everybody, every stakeholder from the smallest business, every resident, everybody in Kent," Cllr King said. "Let's make this the Go To county with Go To people."

[The event marked the final appearance of Mike Evans in his role as county economic development officer. He has taken up a new job as project director for the Turner Centre in Margate.