Kent County Council is offering local firms in £35m in interest free loans to boost the local economy and help create up to 5,000 new jobs.

Businesses based in Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet are eligible to apply to for cash under the Expansion East Kent programme - which draws on cash from the Government's Regional Growth Fund.To avoid unncessary burdens on local businesses, Kent CC has agreed to cover the administration costs of the scheme.