KENT resident Sir Bob Geldof has launched the county's newest television service.

Kent TV, funded by Kent County Council taxpayers and produced by Sir Bob's company Ten Alps, has gone live.

Sir Bob, who lives in Faversham, said Kent was leading the way in broadband television. It spelt the end of the "monologue" provided by traditional television and radio.

But it would not damage newspapers, he claimed, and would expand the advertising market. Kent TV is costing £1.4m over two years. KCC hopes that advertising revenue and sponsorship will reduce the overall cost.

Sir Bob founded Ten Alps eight years ago. The company produces television for specialist groups, including teachers and is pioneering web-based television for niche markets.

This is the first county council television contract it has won and expects other councils to follow KCC’s lead.

He told more than 100 guests at the launch in Maidstone Studios that he was excited by Kent TV and the fact that his company was at the forefront of Internet television.

"I’m very happy that coincidentally the county I chose to live in has the first council in the world that has decided to seize the opportunity of the 21st century and go with it," he said. "It’s cool."

Sixty per cent of Kent’s population now had broadband, with 95 per cent able to access it, he said. "Kent is the cockpit of Britain," he added.

KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter, insisted it would not be 'Kent County Council TV' but 'Kent PLC TV', with all residents, businesses, public agencies and the voluntary sector its shareholders. "It is their TV channel," he said.

He defended the council against criticism that it was spending public money on a service that was already provided by the private sector and would snatch advertising share from other businesses. "I hope the private sector won’t be threatened by this. I think there’s enough for everybody."