by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The county is set to benefit from a £20m grant to housebuilder Persimmon to build 2,000 affordable homes across England.

Persimmon, which has a number of developments in Kent, is the first major company to land funding from the Homes and Communities Agency under the National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP).

Persimmon has been granted £20.64m to build 1,985 affordable homes over the next three years.

The scheme is designed to boost the supply of affordable homes at a time when many people are struggling to buy a home.

Persimmon said it would be seeking bids from local authorities across Kent and Medway with suitable schemes.

Dr Ashley Lane, group partnerships director for Persimmon Homes, said: "Construction will begin in 2012 and we are currently evaluating a number of schemes throughout England. Our objective is to engage with local authorities and housing associations to deliver low cost homes for both shared ownership and social rent."