A FRENCH design company is expanding its operation into Kent.

Lille-based Mediama, creator and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor billboard products, has chosen Tonbridge as the location for its UK base.

Mediama was assisted by the county’s investment promotion agency, Locate in Kent, and is the first success from one of the agency’s French investment seminars, held in Lille earlier this year.

Mediama’s Kent branch will provide a centre of operations for all product and service sales in the UK. The company works on both small and large scale projects and has ambitious plans to grow its UK operations over the next three years.

Mediama specialises in flag and pole design and digital printing. The company’s Lille headquarters has a team of more than 20 highly qualified designers and has provided services for various businesses such as Nissan, the Nausicaä sealife centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer and for events including, Formula 1.

Paul Wookey, chief executive of Locate in Kent, said: "We are delighted to welcome Mediama to Kent.

"The opening of Ebbsfleet International Station on November 19, as part of the completion of the 'High Speed 1' rail link, will connect Thames Gateway Kent with Lille in just 70 minutes and in 2009, London in 17 minutes.

"These new rail services mean Kent is perfectly positioned for international businesses. Despite the fact that the county is on London’s doorstep, property and labour costs are up to 60 per cent lower than London."