PLANS by Kent County Council to establish its own internet-based TV station are to cost at least £1.2million, it has emerged.

County councillors are expected to back a two-year pilot scheme. But it has emerged the full costs - some of which KCC says it will recoup through advertising and sponsorship - for running the service will be £1.2million over the two years.

A further £200,000 is to be spent by KCC setting up the station, which will be available to broadband subscribers.

A spokesman confirmed KCC would be underwriting the full costs of Kent TV but stressed the council had already had "significant interest" in sponsorship and that whoever ran the service would be expected to generate income.

The initiative - due to start in September - has already been dubbed a waste of taxpayers' money by opposition parties.

But senior Conservative county councillors will be told the concept will put KCC "at the cutting edge" of the digital revolution.

A number of independent private companies have bid to run the service and a decision on which one will be awarded the contract is due shortly.

According to KCC, the case for Kent TV is "very powerful".

The report says the service can be "revolutionary in what it achieves" and could reach a local, national and international audience.

"The digital age is well underway and KCC needs to embrace this in order to deliver modernised local government services and ensure information is available in a modern and contemporary way," it states.

While acknowledging there has been "negative publicity", it adds the service will create jobs and has had the support of community groups, central government, individuals and the voluntary and private sector.

"Once the channel is up and running, the public and everyone else can judge for themselves," the report says.

KCC says the station will feature news, documentaries and programming about council services and could be screened in shopping centres, libraries and other public buildings.