Lord Heseltine took a tour of north Kent to see how businesses can help contribute to the economic growth of the region.

The former deputy prime minister is chairman of the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission, aimed at developing a vision and delivery plan for growth around the river.

Today he was in Canterbury and Thanet and he went to the Port of Sheerness on Wednesday to meet representatives from Peel Ports to hear the company’s ideas for new infrastructure on the River Medway.

He was given a tour of the site, which handles 1.4 million tonnes of cargo and car imports a year, employing about 600 people.

Paul Barker, port director at Peel Ports London Medway, which includes Sheerness, said: “While there is much to be pleased about already, I’m very confident that we can aim even higher by working together to make the most of our shared vision for the Medway economy.

“Lord Heseltine and his colleagues on the Commission can make a major contribution to the process by facilitating the public sector leadership and investment necessary for private companies such as ours to flourish.”

The visit to the county also included Junction 5 of the M2, where a £100 million improvement programme is set to start in 2019.

Lord Heseltine saw Kemsley Fields Business Park, pharmaceuticals manufacturer Aesica in Queenborough and the Eurolink business park, which is home to 280 companies and 6,500 staff.

He also toured Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne, the base of 60 companies employing 1,650 people.

As part of his visit today, he went to the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.

He also toured business site Discovery Park in Sandwich – home to 150 companies and 2,400 staff – where he met several entrepreneurs and asked about its support for education and apprenticeships.

Managing director Paul Barber said: “We were delighted to welcome Lord Heseltine to Discovery Park, a template for the kind of regeneration success that his commission is seeking to bring to the wider region.

“We were delighted to have an opportunity to provide ideas for Lord Heseltine’s commission and their quest to increase jobs and prosperity in the Thames Estuary area.”

Last month, Lord Heseltine told Kent Business the commission would be hindered by short-term uncertainty caused by the EU referendum result but added “there is no point in putting off the work”.