A campaign has been launched to attract businesses and create jobs in and around Canterbury.

The Choose Canterbury strategy has been devised by the city council in partnership with the county’s inward investment agency, Locate in Kent.

Funding is coming from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Among the various elements will be a digital marketing campaign promoting the district to potential investors, a new website and practical help for firms to get a foothold in the area.

Cllr Chris Cornell, the city council’s cabinet member for economic eevelopment and inclusion, said: “We are uniquely placed – we're close to London, along with fantastic transport links, the Channel and the Thames Estuary and have sites available for business growth.

“As we’ve made very clear in our Corporate Plan, we want to work in partnership with organisations such as the Canterbury BID. Whether businesses come to Canterbury city centre or Altira Business Park in Herne Bay, we want this to lead to quality job opportunities and lasting economic value for our community and feed into our plans to create a circular economy.”

Charlie Hutchings-Lawrence, Locate in Kent’s business development manager, added: “The city is already well known internationally and is increasingly a place of cutting-edge innovation.

“Choose Canterbury will build on this and promote Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable as great destinations for businesses in sectors key to the UK and regional economy from green energy and the life sciences to advanced manufacturing.”

Lisa Carlson, CEO of Canterbury’s Business Improvement District, said: “"We’re delighted with the Choose Canterbury campaign because we want to make sure everyone is aware of the fantastic investment opportunity.”