THE Shearway Business Park in Folkestone is to be home to a new HQ for the Immigration and Nationality Service bringing hundreds of jobs to the district.

The move, announced by the Home Office, will create 1,000 jobs, with 350 people working from the HQ at any one time.

Building work will begin on the 55,000 sq ft office development early in 2006 with the building expected to be open for business by the middle of 2007.

Cllr Linda Cufley, cabinet member for economic development at Shepway District Council, welcomed the announcement: "This is good news for the people of Shepway. The Immigration and Nationality Service will be a welcome addition to Folkestone, offering employment and career opportunities for local people and will compliment the high quality developments at Shearway Business Park.

"It will also be the third largest single employer in Shepway after SAGA and Eurotunnel and will be a real boost to the local economy."

John Foster, the regeneration and economic development manager, said Folkestone was attracting interest from both the public and private sectors.

West Design Products, manufacturers of stationery and arts products, has just completed a 30,000 sq ft unit on Shearway Business Park and Tri Flex Productions Ltd, a high tech printing company, is about to build upwards of 20,000 sq ft also on Shearway.

Premier Occupational Healthcare, which provides occupational health services to corporate clients and public sector bodies across the UK, has just broken ground and will be developing over 10,000 sq ft unit. The remaining available land is also under offer.

Mr Foster added: "Folkestone is clearly becoming an attractive business location with well located business parks and good transport networks.

"We must be careful to ensure that we can accommodate this demand and the council has been working hard, with other site owners such as Cheriton Parc, to provide a range and choice of attractive business development locations."