MORE than 1,200 jobs were brought to the county last year by the agency that promotes Kent and Medway as great places to do business.

Locate in Kent has just revealed that its efforts helped to create 1,297 jobs in the past 12 months.

But there was disappointment that it missed its jobs target for the first time in years.

The agency, based at Kings Hill, West Malling, missed its target of 2,000 by just over 700.

However, LiK action ensured that a further 1,210 jobs that might have left Kent stayed in the county.

LiK would have come close to its target if a proposed major inward investment had been signed and sealed before the March 31 cut-off date.

The agency exceeded its other target by landing 47 projects with enterprises that have come to the county or are thinking seriously about it.

Paul Wookey, chief executive, admitted he was disappointed at missing the target, but the agency was operating in a highly competitive market.

He said: "It’s disappointing, but I’m still pretty pleased with the overall performance of the company. Last year was a very difficult year. The market was pretty flat.

"You can never predict what’s going to actually happen with the jobs numbers relating to each individual project."

He was pleased that the project target had been achieved.

In the past year, LiK has attracted jobs in manufacturing, aviation – EUjet set up its headquarters at Manston – distribution, sales and administration, and call centres

Because of high-profile growth in the Thames Gateway and Ashford, the county has become more attractive to investors, Mr Wookey said.

After missing last year’s target, LiK is changing the rules and setting a three-year jobs target of between 5,000 and 7,000.

Mr Wookey was optimistic about the coming year. "The prospects are looking brilliant. We’ve just got some briliant projects in the pipeline if we can pull them off."