by Alan McGuinness

Kingsnorth Power Station will close in March 2013 it was announced yesterday.

E.ON has confirmed the date after announcing in 2010 it was abandoning plans to build the UK's first carbon capture and storage plant at the site in Hoo, which under EU rules must close by 2015.

The plant employs 123 full-time staff and hundreds more contractors.

At the time of the announcement in 2010 E.ON said it would do everything it could to find them jobs elsewhere in the company.

Dr Tony Cocker, chief executive of E.ON, said: "Our announcement does not rule out future power generation on the site, which remains an excellent location for a new plant given its proximity to demand in the South East, but the original plans are no longer appropriate.

"I want to pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who have worked at the station bringing light and warmth to homes and businesses."

The GMB union said the news was “absolutely devastating” to the local economy.

Local representative Mike Ongley said the closure would hit businesses in Hoo, which would lose out on passing trade from workers.

He said: “I feel for the workers losing their jobs, and the residents and people who have got businesses there. They’re all going to be affected.”

Do you work at the power station? Let us know what you think by leaving your comments below, calling 01634 227803 or emailingmedwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk