MEDWAY Council has given the go-ahead for a £41million innovation centre and science park close to Rochester Airport.

The Government is pumping £3.5million into the project on a 10 acre site, owned by BAE Systems, with a further £500,000 coming from Medway Council. The private sector will fund most of the rest.

Medway Innovation Centre should become a magnet for innovative and hi-tech businesses and help create a so-called technology cluster.

Cllr Jane Chitty, the council portfolio holder for strategic planning and economic development, said the project would create much needed quality business accommodation in Medway and generate up to 2,000 jobs.

"Job creation in industries that will help to ensure that Medway thrives well into the 21st century and beyond are vital and this project will play a great role in this," she said.

The first phase is due to open next year. Other partners in the project include BAE Systems, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Royal Bank of Scotland.