by business editor Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

Pfizer's decision is the worst thing to hit the economy in decades, according to the boss of the agency that promotes job creation in the county.

Paul Wookey, chief executive of Locate in Kent, could not recall a more devastating economic loss in recent times.

"In my time at Locate in Kent, I don't think we've had a major loss of this scale and stature," he said. "It's a significant loss. It's a terrible day."

He said it would not only affect 2,400 people at Pfizer, it would have a huge impact on hundreds of other indirect jobs across East Kent.

"It is devastating news. It's sad for people who are employed there and worrying at times like this when the economy is in recovery mode as to where those people can find employment."

Pfizer is one of Kent's few flagship companies used by Locate in Kent to promote the county.

It has been a blue chip name since the 1950s and its prestige has added lustre to Kent's business credentials.

Mr Wookey said he would be speaking to colleagues in other agencies about what could be done.

"I would still like to think the Sandwich site will have a future and provide jobs in the pharmaceutical sector.

"There's no doubt that we will do something but exactly what I don't know at this moment in time.

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"We can't just allow that scale of unemployment to hit the East Kent economy without some response.

"I think I've got to get over the shock first before I can say what should be done."

He revealed that LiK, whose other role is to safeguard threatened jobs, had not been given any advance notice of the planned closure.

"I'm not surprised. Big organisations make a judgment who they tell and when they tell them."