THANET'S "engine of growth" has been given a VIP launch. Lord Sainsbury, the Government's minister for innovation, officially opened Kent Innovation Centre (KIC) at Thanet Reach Business Park, Broadstairs, on Wednesday.

The £4 million centre promises to be a cauldron of good ideas that will help entrepreneurs turn them into growing businesses.

Tony McDonald, chairman of the KIC board and Pfizer's IT director, said: "The vision we had here was to create an engine of growth, to create a cluster of knowledge-based companies in Thanet."

He said Thanet suffered from poor economic performance and fewer businesses per head of population than elsewhere, with existing firms tending to be "low-tech".

KIC would create an entrepreneurial culture and assist hi-tech start-ups to thrive. "KIC can encourage ambitious entrepreneurs to learn from each other."

It has already created 70 jobs and is set to create many more within two years. Most of the 45 offices will be occupied by the end of the year.

KIC offers "easy-in, easy-out" rental deals tailored to each entrepreneur's financial circumstances.

The three-storey building equipped with the latest communications, including broadband, has been developed by Thanet council and Canterbury Christ Church University College with funding from Europe, the Single Regeneration Budget and local sources.

Lord Sainsbury toured the centre and spoke to tenants. He said innovation and entrepreneurs were vital to the future success of British business and urged local people with good hi-tech ideas to put them into practice at the centre.

KIC could become a role model for other parts of the country. "This is one to watch to see if we can learn anything from what happens here. If it is successful in this area, then it become a very interesting model for other areas."

Dr Steve Ladyman, local MP and member of the KIC board, said the centre was a tremendous success story.