JOBS at a Medway power plant are safe after it was bought by Scottish Power for £317 million.

Damhead Creek station and associated contracts including a long-term gas supply agreement was bought from creditor banks.

A spokesman for Scottish Power said the station near Hoo would be kept as a going business and assured workers they would keep their jobs.

Scottish Power said the cost of buying Damhead Creek was significantly less than the cost of building a new plant.

Executive director UK Charles Berry said: "We are delighted with this purchase, which helps meet the needs of our fast-growing customer base.

"Completed at the right price, right time and right location, it also advances our strategy of adding generation capacity in Southern England."