by Martin Jefferies

Three agencies who recruit people to work at the UK's biggest greenhouse complex in Kent have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) - which was set up to stop people working in the agricultural sector being exploited - investigated the agencies used by Thanet Earth.

It followed complaints from the Unite union about how staff working at the site near Birchington were being treated.

But the GLA found no issues with two of the agencies.

It said problems with a third had now been fully resolved and said claims that staff had not been paid were untrue.

In a statement, it said: "The GLA investigated concerns relating to holiday pay relating to one agency only, and this matter has now been resolved satisfactorily."

Meanwhile, Thanet Earth Marketing, the company responsible for selling produce grown at Thanet Earth, was not criticised for the way it handled and investigated complaints.

However, the GLA has provided "advice and guidance to assist Thanet Earth Marketing in ensuring that such matters do not occur in the future".

Thanet Earth is a complex of seven greenhouses built on a former cauliflower farm and will cover an area of land equivalent in size to around 80 football pitches once complete.

It uses the latest technology to grow tomatoes, pepper and cucumbers all year round and will eventually boost the UK's salad production by 15 per cent.