A DIGITAL age boost has come to the village of Staplehurst, near Maidstone, with the creation of eight jobs and the promise of more to come.

Morgan Perry International (MPI) celebrated the official opening of Internet House, just off the High Street, by announcing plans for up to 50 new jobs within three years and the immediate installation of a new server hosting centre.

Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe opened the new building with its impressive array of the latest computer and telecommunications equipment.

After clicking the mouse, she said she hoped the firm would do so well that it would eventually outgrow its new headquarters. Company spokesman Paul Vousden said: "We should be getting up to 40 - 50 people in the next three years."

The extra jobs would come as more firms adopted the new broadband technology. Cllr Paulina Stockell, the Mayor of Maidstone, welcomed investment in a rural area.

Founding directors Nick Morgan and Adrian Perry, who both live in Staplehurst, joined forces a few years ago after running their own companies Infotek Services and Tech.One and operating the town's Xybertalk Internet café.

They gave up these interests to develop the hi-tech business which is aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses tap into the Internet, PC network and email revolution. It is now one of the county's leading Internet service providers.

The firm has invested more than £500,000 in equipment and is about to pump more cash into its new server hosting centre being built in the firm's forecourt.

Mr Perry paid tribute to his "business angel" Jay Wright, a local businessman who has invested in the project. "We wouldn't have got this far if he hadn't been with us," he said.