LOCATE in Kent, the agency that encourages firms to set up or stay in the county, is celebrating the creation of its 10,000th job.

It passed this milestone with the arrival of Phoqus, a leading edge company in drug delivery systems, at Kings Hill, West Malling, and the probable creation of 50 jobs over the next three years.

The agency calculated that the cost of job creation was around £545 per job, lower than compararable inward investment agencies.

Locatie in Kent, based at Kings Hill and formed in January 1997, works closely with property developers and commercial agents. It receives funding from Kent County Council, Medway council, district councils and commercial sponsors.

Sir Graeme Odgers, LiK chairman, said: "The hard working team has assisted more than 150 businesses to relocate or expand in Kent, many of which are now significant employers."