Dover has received another multi million pound boost for the its ambitions to have a world-class future.

The government is giving the district a further £2.6m over the next two years.

This additional investment, announced by the Department of Communities and Local Government, follows the Council’s successful Growth Point bid this summer.

Dover District Council submitted the bid last year, working with a range of partners including the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), English Partnerships, Kent County Council, Dover Harbour Board and Dover Pride.

Growth Points are a Government initiative to provide support to local communities who wish to pursue large scale and sustainable growth. The successful bid followed extensive work with a range of partners and enabled the Council to access special national funds to help with planning and delivering new developments.

The Dover district is receiving £1m for 2009/10 and £1.6m for 2010/11 to help it to make "a real and early difference" in the planned large-scale regeneration for Dover.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said the investment was exceptional during the current economically-difficult times.

"This is a significant funding announcement for the delivery of growth coming on the back of the recent Sea Change funding. A range of developments that on their own are important, together will provide a transformational regeneration programme.

“This funding helps support the delivery of this programme and follows successful partnership engagement across a whole range of national agencies and partners who are sitting up and matching their positive words with hard cash. Growth Point status is recognizing Dover as a national priority and is helping to provide the working finance to deliver regeneration. This is a major announcement in supporting sustainable growth and a world-class future for the district.”