The Kent and Medway Hydrogen Summit has been hailed a "huge success" as experts met to discuss the latest developments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Following on the heels of the UN's COP26 conference, the event at the Historic Dockyard Chatham was attended by researchers, innovators and energy-sector leaders.

Spearheaded by the University of Kent, Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich - all of which have campuses in the county - it provided a platform for the latest updates in both hydrogen research and clean energy development.

Simon Barnes, funding and partnership development manager of Kent’s Research and Innovation Services, gave insights into the role universities and higher education will play in accelerating the hydrogen economy.

He said: "The summit has been a huge success as a platform for leading players in the hydrogen economy to update us on the vital research under way and in preparation to achieve the nation’s emissions goals. The opportunity for discussing, networking and sharing ideas means that the South East is at the forefront of developing clean energy in the UK and delivering net zero.

"The county’s three leading universities have collaborated with the sector to reach this point and further collaboration in research will come."

Cllr Howard Doe, deputy leader of Medway Council, who is leading on Medway’s Climate Change agenda, added: "We all need to work together in the fight against climate change and the summit brought organisations from a number of sectors together to discuss the latest developments in clean energy technologies. We are working hard to achieve net zero carbon across Medway by 2050 and we will continue working with partner agencies, the local community and the universities in order to do this."