TWENTY-ONE jobs have come to Kent after a hi-tech lighting firm was dazzled by the attractions for growing businesses.

The colourful world of fibre optics created by Absolute Action recently switched from Wandsworth in London to Tonbridge Road, Maidstone.

The firm, founded some 19 years ago by Emma Dawson-Tarr and her husband David, celebrated the move with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Pat Marshall and MP Ann Widdecombe.

Absolute Action has pumped £400,000 into a project that could set a lighting design standard for other local companies.

Following a facelift, the former offices of construction firm Corben now sparkle with the colours and patterns generated by fibre optic lighting.

Mrs Dawson-Tarr and her husband, who have three young children, moved from Guildford to a farm in Meopham two years go.

They decided to move the business too. Inquiries to 70 agents across the region produced just one suitable reply - from Maidstone agents Sibley Pares.

Number 6 Tonbridge Road, now renamed Focus House, proved just what the Tarrs were looking for - an interesting town centre building combining factory and office space. But the Georgian-fronted property was run down and needed an extensive facelift.

Mrs Dawson-Tarr said, " We were delighted to find such an excellent property in the centre of a thriving community, with its strong transport links for countrywide and European access.

"The local business community has been particularly supportive and vibrant and, on a personal level, many of the company's members of staff have actually moved house to live locally, and are enjoying it abundantly."

While most of the workforce has stayed with the firm, two new jobs have been created. Mrs Dawson-Tarr said another four or five jobs could be added to the payroll over the next two years.

Absolute Action designs, manufactures and installs fibre optic lighting. Its overseas client list includes the Moroccan royal family and the Texas History Museum. The firm has also worked with Richard Branson's Virgin Group.