The company behind plans to build a theme park in Swanscombe have struck a deal to help once building work begins.

London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) has announced it has reached a Memorandum of Understanding with Port of Tilbury London Limited (POTL) to use the port and its facilities as the main site for storage, loading, discharge, barge operations and other services in connection with the development and construction of the planned entertainment resort.

It comes just weeks after LRCH announced a split with Paramount, which means its movies will no longer be the main theme at the park.

The Port of Tilbury is just over the river from the peninsula, on the northern bank of the Thames in Essex. It is London’s major port, providing fast, modern distribution services for the south east of England and beyond with excellent transport links.

The latest plans for the resort will go on public display in autumn this year, before a Development Consent Order is submitted to the Secretary of State.

LRCH chief executive Humphrey Percy said: “We have always spoken of our commitment to make use of the Thames both during construction and operation.

“Reaching a Memorandum of Understanding with Port of Tilbury underlines this commitment and is a further step in delivering a truly global destination.”

Charles Hammond, group chief executive from Forth Ports, which owns the Port of Tilbury, said: “The Port of Tilbury is ideally located as a hub for LRCH’s proposed major construction project in Kent.

“At Tilbury we are committed to encouraging the increased use of the River Thames for major construction projects.

"By using the River Thames, there is not only a reduction in the road miles impact but it also helps to reduce congestion on the road network.

"At Tilbury, LRCH will benefit from our expertise in warehouse consolidation, handling services as well as water-borne transportation.”

LRCH says the Swanscombe park will generate around 30,000 skilled or semi-skilled jobs, and expects 15 million visitors a year once fully established.

It will be the first of its kind in the UK, with a wide range of attractions and entertainment, including a theme park, hotels, indoor entertainment including a cinema and nightclubs, restaurants and shops.