MORE than 3,000 people glimpsed the future of North Kent and Medway when they turned up for the first ever Thames Gateway Forum.

The two-day event, held in ExCel, London Docklands, was a star-studded occasion, with high-profile politicians like John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, mingling with designer Wayne Hemingway and the great and the good of the development world.

Organisers said the attendance had exceeded all their expectations. There were around 100 expert speakers and a programme of 19 conference sessions.

Around 100 organisations exhibited at the forum, bringing together for the first time the people who will shape the development of the Thames Gateway over the next 20 years.

Sir Sandy Bruce Lockhart, leader of Kent County Council, spoke of the need for inspirational quality design in the buildings, communities and neighbourhoods that were created.

Around 130,000 houses will be built in the Gateway by 2016 and Mr Prescott pledged to achieve the £60,000 home by using new technology and construction methods to reduce the cost of housebuilding.

Designer Wayne Hemingway urged developers to take on more women. He said they had a better understanding of what was needed in housing developments.

Yet male suits dominated the industry, even though they often failed to understand just what was needed. "The sooner we get more women here, the better," he said during a seminar.

Three delivery boards were officially launched at the forum - Kent Thameside, Swale Forward and Medway Renaissance Partnership.

Kent County Council injected £30,000 into the forum to guarantee a high Kent profile amid the heavy guns of London.

Cllr Alex King, KCC Cabinet member for regeneration said it was money well spent. "It's high standard, we did well to get the opportunity to start it off, the presentation of the three delivery boards in the Thames Gateway is brilliant and I'm very pleased."

He said it was the start of using the Kent "brand" more effectively.

Architect Sir Terry Farrell argued the need for an overall vision for the Gateway, including a Thames Gateway National Park.

Richard McCarthy, who is in charge of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Sustainable Communities Group, said £850m was going into the Gateway.

Speaking to 1,000 guests at a first-day dinner, many from North Kent and Medway, he urged them to share his excitement and enthusiasm for the project.

"Together, we are creating something that is very special. The transformation is well underway. Be part of a team that will build a better Gateway, a sustainable Gateway, that builds on a strong economy and is a great place to live and enjoy life."

The Forum is to become an annual event, with next year's being held on November 23 - 24 at the same venue and organised again by Meeting of Minds. Given suitable premises, it may one day be held in Kent.