Plan for 1,000 immigration jobs

Up to 1,000 jobs will be created in a Kent town over the next two years by a new business park tenant.

The Immigration and Nationality Service is to base its headquarters at Shearway Business Park in Folkestone.

Building work is expected to begin on the 55,000 sq ft (5.1 sq km) offices in early 2006, with a workforce of 350 being based there from mid-2007.

The plans were welcomed as "a real boost to the local economy" by Shepway District Council.

Councillor Linda Cufley, cabinet member for economic development, said the Immigration and Nationality Service would become Shepway's "third largest single employer", behind SAGA and Eurotunnel.

John Foster, the council's officer for regeneration, said some of the jobs would be relocated from elsewhere, with the remaining available locally.

He described the location of the new building as a "high profile site".

"First impressions for people coming into the town will be to see that in fact Folkestone is a business location in reality as well as perception," he said.