A TOP Euro boss has defended the EU's spending while on a visit to Kent to open a £600,000 community centre.

Head of the European Commission in the UK Reijo Kempinnen ran his eye over the Family and Community Centre on the former Hereson School site, at Ramsgate, paid for by the EU, KCC and the Thanet Community Development Trust.

Former journalist Mr Kempinnen admitted that the EU has to fight hard to have its good work recognised in the UK, despite the £26.5million pumped into Thanet and fellow regeneration area Hastings since 2000.

He said: "We are so delighted to see the EU implementing projects in the community instead of just being talked about in terms of bureaucracy and red tape.

"Forty per cent of our budget goes on projects like this - if people understand that then they understand the EU."

The community centre will provide family and children’s services, and feature consultation rooms and meetings rooms, a creche and a play area.

It is hoped to involve groups and people from across the town and it will open in the next few weeks.