Two Kent hospital trusts will be given a helping hand from the government as health bosses announce a £1.5 billion bailout fund.

The money will be spread across seven NHS Trusts nationwide, including Dartford and Gravesham, which runs Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, and the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

All have struggled to repay payments under their Private Finance Initiatives (PFI).

Health secretary Andrew Lansley made the announcement at the weekend after raising concerns the trusts wouldn't be able to pay without extra help.

He said: "The NHS is delivering great results for patients but we know that a small number of NHS trusts with PFI arrangements have historic problems relating to these arrangements that make it very difficult for them to manage financially."

Darent Valley Hospital is owned by the The Hospital Company Dartford. A spokesman said he was unsure how much money the trust would receive.