Up to 20 jobs are being created in West Malling by technology company Skye IT which is opening a new headquarters at Kings Hill.

"Initially we will employ 25 staff, some of whom will come from our existing offices, but we are already looking to expand and recruit new staff," said Skye's chief executive Paul Swords.

"We are a fast-growing company and plan to have between 40 and 45 staff working here within a year. We'll be looking for account managers, CISCO engineers, administration and telesales staff."

Mr Swords co-founded the Skye Group with Gary Coppin in 2004. The firm has four divisions: Skye IT, Skye Consult, Skye Recruit and Skye Direct. It employs 75 across offices in Kent, Surrey and Essex.

The new headquarters is close to Mr Swords’ home in Kings Hill where he has lived with his family for the past six years.

"That was another factor as I had got fed up with the commute," said Mr Swords. "We can find skilled people here who are also fed up with commuting to London, but still want to get paid London wages - so it's the best of both worlds."