Bosses looking to build a multi-million pound bike factory say Ashford fought off stiff competition from the likes of Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham.

Brompton Bicycles has earmarked land along the Avenue Jacques Faucheux dual carriageway, close to Asda and the Designer Outlet for its new global headquarters which could create thousands of jobs.

Before the site was selected, major cities across the UK were also considered but Simon Ryan, investment director at Locate in Kent, who helped Brompton with its search, said Ashford 'shone above the rest."

He said: "We first met with Brompton back in April 2019 and over those three years we helped them narrow down what sort of place they need to be located next to.

"Before they spoke to us, originally they were looking at Swindon, South Wales, Manchester, and for a long time it was between us and Birmingham.

"Nottingham was talked about as well so this has been a really competitive journey all the way through.

"Ashford really stood out and this will mean global recognition for the town."

Artist's impressions show there will be wide paths for cyclists and pedestrians to go straight into the facility, which will also have a visitor centre, museum and cafe.

Brompton's chief executive Will Butler-Adams says another plus for Ashford is its location to the capital and Europe.

He added: “At the moment we rent a big grey box in London and it's not right for us as we have grown bigger.

"These big grey boxes in London are getting really expensive, so if we are going to be here in 40 years time, we need a home that we can design for us.

"We found Ashford which is a hidden gem.

"We will bring some staff from London but we are a growing business and we need talent and young ideas so we will work with young people to create a knowledge pool locally."

The land is a 100-acre floodplain but architect Guy Hollaway says this is not an issue as the factory will be built on stilts and has been designed to work in harmony with the landscape and support biodiversity.

Once built, it will take up 40-acres while the remaining land will be rewilded and turned into a public nature reserve, something Ashford Borough Council has long-held plans to do.

Mr Hollaway, who also designed Elwick Place and the Curious Brewery in Ashford, said: "We worked with engineers to enhance the flood risk and rewild the park so it can hold the water and soak it up like a sponge.

"We can actually improve the situation downstream in a flooding event so the houses nearby are at less risk."

Despite the vast development, it won't come with any parking spaces in a bid to encourage employees and visitors to access the site by cycling, walking, or using public transport.

It hopes to open the factory, built in partnership with Quinn Estates and architects Hollaway Studio, by 2027 with the aim of producing more than 200,000 bikes per year, doubling its current rate.

At first, the company expects to employ more than 1,500 staff but once fully operational, this is expected to rise to 4,000 across the supply chain.

It is claimed the proposals equate to a £100 million investment in the local economy and Brompton has also pledged to work with Kent universities, colleges and schools to develop a skilled workforce locally for generations to come.

A planning application is expected in April.