Kent County Council leader Paul Carter is to lead a taskforce trying to ease the impact of Pfizer's closure decision on jobs and the East Kent economy.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has asked him to work with Pfizer and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

He said it would "do everything we can to mitigate the impact of this decision and continue with our ambitious plans for East Kent.

"Many of Pfizer's workforce live in the area and are among the most highly skilled workers in Kent.

"This will also have a massive impact on the local people and the local economy that support Pfizer as a business."

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"I will also be working closely with local MPs such as Laura Sandys, Charlie Elphicke and the leaders of Dover and Thanet District Councils to look at innovative solutions to minimise the impact on the communities of East Kent, as well as the broader Kent economy."