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Jobless construction workers have protested outside the jobcentre in Chatham over the use of foreign workers.

The union Unite claims Alstom Power Systems, which is leading the construction of a new gas-fired plant at the E.ON site on the Isle of Grain, is using two sub-contractors which are refusing to consider local labour.

But Alstom denies this, saying that of the 15 sub-contractors working at Grain only two are non-UK firms.

A spokesman for Alstom said: "We do provide British jobs for British workers and we're proud to do so.

~Watch: See Aurelia Allen's video report from the protest today at the top of this page

"We're a company that wants to continue investing in the UK and training and recruiting British workers.

"We do not, nor have we ever, discriminated between UK and non-UK workers.

"Alstom employs about 5,000 people in the UK - working in the power and transport industries - the vast majority of which are UK nationals."

Among the protestors was Installation Engineer Tony Ratford, of Allhallows. He has worked on and off on Grain for 44 years, and has been unemployed for six weeks.

He said: "I've worked with men, some are standing here now, who started on apprenticeships and built the place, and Kingsnorth, over a period of 30 years. They've maintained them to keep them going. Now they have a chance to work on the new site and earn some money to retire with, but they are not going to get a look in. I think it's utterly disgusting."

Unemployed Yorkshireman Owen Morris moved to the area to work on construction projects on the Isle of Grain. He says it is totally illogical to hire foreign workers in favour of skilled, local people.

He said "The British engineering construction workforce operates worldwide, and the only reason we work all over the world is because of the skills and experience we have. We've been building power stations, especially on the Isle of Grain for the last 40 or 50 years, so why start excluding us now?

"I've been unemployed since December and I have a daughter in the North East who I used to go and see every fortnight. But I haven't been able to afford to go up since before Christmas, so I can only speak to her on the phone."

But further fuel was added to the fire when Medway Council received a planning application from Alstom to moor a 'floating hotel' for up to 200 workers.

Alstom wants to moor the accommodation barge for construction staff at nearby Damhead Creek.

Another demonstration is also planned for Tuesday, March 24 at the Isle of Grain power station.