KENT is bidding for a United Nations fuel-from-crops complex that would create hundreds of skilled jobs, it can be revealed.

The proposed UN centre would put the county at the forefront of the urgent battle to counter global warming and discover alternatives to fossil fuels.

Natural sources such as soya beans can be turned into biodiesel and ethanol to run vehicles.

Kent County Council and its advisers are arguing that a distinguished farming history makes the Garden of England the best place in the world for cutting edge research into non-food crops.

Experts claim that increasing use of non-food crops would reduce global warming, encourage bio-diversity and help producers.

Developing countries such as Africa, now high up the Government’s policy agenda, would benefit.

Although Africa is a possible location for a UN centre, Kent believes it has a persuasive case for this hub of excellence.

KCC leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart spelt out his proposals to senior UN and World Bank officials during a recent visit to Washington.

Sir Sandy, a fruit farmer himself, told said in an exclusive interview that it was important for the county to build on its reputation for high-quality agriculture and horticulture.

The farming industry had suffered from decline but a UN centre would put the county at the forefront of developments in new uses of crops.

He said: "This has huge implications for a revolution in agriculture and it seems to us very important that Kent is at the centre of that."

Paul Wolfowitz, the new World Bank president, has asked KCC to produce a paper outlining its plans in more detail.

Several possible sites are being considered and KCC might invest - with its partners - in the project ahead of any UN decision.