Construction is due to begin on a new housing development after a contractor received a seven-figure funding deal from the bank.

Jenner Contractors, based in Folkestone, expects to complete work on 41 homes on the old Shepway Resource Centre on Military Road by summer next year.

The company, established in 1875, will sell 35 of the flats and houses to Shepway District Council, which will place them on the housing list for local people.

It will market the remaining six to potential buyers after securing a funding deal to get works underway with Royal Bank of Scotland.

Development director Darren Welch said: “Residential housing is our largest sector and we are fortunate to have local council support to help us develop housing to local communities across Kent and East Sussex.”

Jenner has delivered many projects in the Shepway district, from large scale housing to the new maths building at Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone and several developments on the town’s high street.