IT’S hoped the opening of a £6million fresh juice factory will create up to 70 new jobs.

The state-of-the-art plant is on Daniels Chilled Foods’ existing site in Biddenden Road, Headcorn.

Thirty-five new jobs have already been created since it opened two weeks ago and a further 35 are expected to follow within three years.

Headcorn resident and ex-parish councillor Brian Ellard-Smith said residents would be delighted, adding: "Any increased opportunity for employment would be very well received by the community at a time when so many jobs seem to be going abroad."

Cllr Jeremy Claydon, vice-chairman of Headcorn Parish Council, said: "We are delighted by anyone who brings employment to the area, particularly as we have lost businesses in recent years. It is great news because we are always looking to attract new companies to the village."

Daniels group operations director Terry Haigh said the investment was great news for the local economy.

"It also means Headcorn will be home to a world class fresh drinks plant."

The factory has the capacity to process more than 152,000kg of fresh fruit every day and can produce more than 210 million bottles of fresh juice a year.