One of the country's biggest construction companies has confirmed it intends to shed 1,200 jobs.

The Kier Group, which has been involved in a host of Kent projects over the years, has a regional office in Aylesford which employs around 100 staff.

In addition to the huge loss of jobs, the company also confirmed it was looking to sell-off or exit a number of its operations including its home-building business Kier Living.

It will also pull-out of its facilites management and environmental services divisions.

It follows a strategic review of the company's operations to cut debt and streamline the business.

The firm says it wants to find £55 million in savings by 2021.

In a statement, the firm said: "In recent years, the group has grown substantially, including through acquisitions.

"This strategy added a number of highly attractive businesses to the group, including highways, utilities and rail.

"However, the strategic review concluded that, during this period, there was insufficient focus on cash generation and that the group today has debt levels that are too high.

"It also concluded the group's portfolio is too diverse and contains a number of businesses that are incompatible with the group's new strategy and working capital objectives."

It's focus will remain now on "regional building, infrastructure, utilities and highways".

It says it expects any projects it is currently working on through the impacted divisions will be sold on to any potential buyer.

It is not yet known if any jobs will be lost at the Kent site. However, a spokesperson told KOL: "The efficiency programme is not about reducing capability of capacity on the front line."

Andrew Davies, chief executive of Kier, said "These actions are focused on resetting the operational structure of Kier, simplifying the portfolio, and emphasising cash generation in order to structurally reduce debt.

"By making these changes, we will reinforce the foundations from which our core activities can flourish in the future, to the benefit of all of our stakeholders."

Read more: For the latest business news for Kent