TOWNS in North Kent are to share in an £11.6 billion regeneration scheme along the corridor between London and Continental Europe, it was announced today.

The scheme, which is expected to create 84,000 jobs directly and another 17,000 indirectly, would bring 50,000 more houses in Medway, Swale, Gravesend and Dartford.

Medway is to get another boost with a conference in June aimed at putting the area on the map as a city of culture.

Sir David Frost, who grew up in Gillingham, is due to speak at the event at the Colonial Building in Chatham Maritime.

Gillingham MP Paul Clark, who helped draw up the development blueprint, said: "We have been working for the last 12 months on the plan to develop Thames Gateway area. This is the culmination of a lot of work by the private and public sector.

"It's a blueprint for jobs, opportunities, the environment and transport and will bring everything together to make a decent new community and renew the declining communities."

The 20-year plan to improve economic vitality in North Kent seen as an important link with mainland Europe. The jobs would be created from the development of about 2.5 million square metres of potential business space.

The money would be raised through the public and private sectors with every £1 invested by Government unlocking £4 of private finance. Lord Falconer, chairman of the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership, introduced the development plan today at a conference hosted by the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership at Woodville Halls in Gravesend.

He said: "I am very optimistic for the future of both North Kent and Gateway as a whole. The Government is committed to the regeneration of the Gateway as a priority. Together, we will create a new community, building a bridge between London, the South East and Europe."

Lord Falconer cited the redevelopment of Rochester Riverside as a good example of work already carried out by the Kent Partnership, and said further economic development would be welcomed on the Hoo Peninsula and the Isle of Grain.

The Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership is a ministerial team embracing three regional development agencies - South East England Regional Assembly, Greater London Authority and TGKP. Its purpose is to co-ordinate the regeneration of the wider Thames Gateway region, delivering "joined-up thinking".