THE QUEST to find a new generation of scientists is being stepped up after new developments promise to put the county at the forefront of research.

Science has soared up the business agenda, with only a shortage of skills threatening to limit the economic gains for the people of Kent and Medway.

Thousands of new jobs are on the cards in the county over the next 25 years.

More than 12,000 could be at Wye and Ashford following the signing of an agreement by leaders of Imperial College, Kent County Council and Ashford council.

Thousands more will be created at Kent Science Park if park chiefs and Swale council persuade the Government to back a new M2 junction.

And two events in Medway further underlined the importance of science.

A long-promised Medway Enterprise Hub was approved by the South East England Development Agency, with Bernard Spring, a prominent local businesman named "hub champion".

At the same time, the University of Greenwich, which runs the world-beating Natural Resources Institute, launched the first of four business innovation hubs.

Focusing on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, heal, pharmacy, sport and exercise, the university hub will encourage commercial spin-offs.

University experts will offer support and advice to fledgling companies. The hubs will be high profile contact points across the county and beyond for university expertise and consultancy.

Professor Patricia Harvey, director of the first hub, said the county had to work hard to put the skills in place.

She said: "One of the things that we will really be looking to do is establishing a technology centre for 14-19 year olds. If we can capture them, then they are already engaged. It’s an important thing for science."

Marc Hume, the university’s new director of enterprise, added that the relationship with local schools was crucial.

"Science is a fascinating area for employment and a lot of children probably have a misconception about what the world of science actually is in work.

"They don’t understand its application and what we need to be doing is to communicate better, hold workshops and see more local people. It’s a very exciting area to work."

Speaking in Wye, Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College and former pharmaceutical boss, said: "In the vision for Wye, we have a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the most exciting problems in science, engineering and medicine today.

"Our aims for Wye are to build upon its traditions and enable us to attract the best and be the best."

How many of the "best" will be from Kent and Medway will depend on the success of the campaign to woo young people into the laboratory.