KENT aims to boost tourism and business by linking up with the American state of Virginia to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its foundation in 2007.

A series of high-profile events is being planned across the county in a bid to attract thousands of visitors and encourage more business co-operation between the two areas.

The decision to mark the historic occasion follows recent visits by representatives of the Federal Commission for the Quadcentennial celebrations in 2007, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Cllr Alex King, Kent County Council's Cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We are in discussion about the role Kent can play in the Quadcentennial celebrations. They reflect the Kent links with Virginia.

"There are many opportunities for Kent to participate in the Quadcentennial and we are exploring these as rapidly as we can. There could be some very significant benefits in terms of tourism.

"And I believe there is the potential for a long-term relationship for the mutual advantage of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the county of Kent. Watch this space."

It was in late 1606 that the first settlers left London in three ships, led by the Godspeed and almost certainly calling off at Gravesend on their way, before arriving in 1607 to found the famous Jamestown community.

Kent has several other close connections with Virginia. Pocahontas, the Native American princess who saved the life of the early Virginian settler Captain John Smith, is buried in Gravesend.

Members of the Fairfax and Culpeper families, former owners of Leeds Castle, were involved in the history of early Virginia through investment in estates. Two counties in Virginia bear the name Culpeper and Fairfax.

Sir Winston Churchill's mother was a Virginian, and Nancy Astor, the first British woman MP, came from Virginia, spending the latter part of her life in Sandwich.

During an earlier visit to Kent, Frank Atkinson, chairman of the Virginia Commemoration Commission, said: "It is absolutely fascinating to explore the links that bind Kent and Virginia and to hear about and see at first hand what a great place Kent is."