WEEKLY air links between Kent and Virginia, USA, will take off next spring in time for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the first settlement.

Aviation and council chiefs have confirmed the direct service between Norfolk International Airport and Kent International Airport, Manston.

Weekly charter flights will be operated by Bromley-based independent tour company Cosmos and its sister airline Monarch.

Start-up costs of at least £800,000 will be shared between Norfolk International (£400,000) and a group of Kent partners.

They include Kent County Council, SEEDA, Infratil Airports Europe (owner of Kent International), Kent Attractions, East Kent Partnership, Thanet District Council, Canterbury City Council and Gravesham Borough Council.

Kent County Council is injecting £150,000 in the project, with a further £250,000 coming from the other Kent partners.

County council leader Cllr Paul Carter, said: "The 400th anniversary of the founding of the colony of Jamestown in Virginia is coming up next year with strong Kent links.

"There will never be a better time to establish a direct air link between Kent and the States to help boost Kent International Airport, our tourism industry and in particular hard-pressed East Kent."

Flights would provide "a real opportunity to build long term relationships which will substantially benefit the Kent economy."

Cosmos will market the service in the UK, with CI Travel, a leading tour operator in Virginia, doing the same thing in the US.

Terry Williamson, Cosmos Holidays’ managing director, said: "As one of Kent’s leading tour operators for nearly 50 years we are delighted to be associated with this venture.

"It is indeed an exciting development for both the Kent International area and us.

"Whilst, relatively unknown to many in the UK, Virginia offers a huge array of attractions and places of interest and given the 400th anniversary celebrations, it is an excellent time to launch this service."

Further details will be announced later this summer.