Five new companies invested in Medway in the first six months of this financial year.

The firms created 196 new jobs and helped to preserve 60, according to new figures from Locate in Kent.

This is four times the target set for the inward investment agency.

Results up to the end of September show the company was dealing with another 126 firms who were looking at Medway as a location for their operations.

The majority are UK-based businesses but there was also interest from companies in the United States, France, India, Ireland and Italy.

Nearly half were looking to set up manufacturing or distribution operations.

Medway’s Cllr Jane Chitty said: “These figures show that Medway is an attractive destination for firms wishing to start up or to expand their business, and we are offering the right conditions for companies wishing to come here.”

Locate in Kent is Kent and Medway’s investment agency and is employed by Kent County Council and Medway Council to encourage companies to relocate to the area.