THE Kent Reliance Building Society is set to create new jobs as it dashes for growth. The company's chief executive, Mike Lazenby, has vowed to make it “first choice” for the county’s borrowers and savers.

Mr Lazenby said more people would be added to the 120-strong workforce to cope with an expected 25 per cent assets leap in the coming year. The Chatham-based mutual society grew by nine per cent over the past year, and 14 per cent in the last three months.

Mr Lazenby said he was determined to double market share in Kent to four per cent by raising its profile and launching “best buy” products. “Our New Year’s resolution is to be the natural choice in Kent for mortgages and savings,” he said. “If you live in Kent, we have to be your natural choice.”

The society is spending £50,000 on a corporate makeover and recently moved into the BBC’s former Radio Kent headquarters at Sun Pier, Chatham.