A major government coastal grant awarded to a new arts school will be used to create Kent's first 'FabLab.'

The Coastal Communities Fund awarded The Margate School (TMS) £499,000 last week to provide technological support for the town's burgeoning creative sector.

FabLabs originated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to enable anyone to prototype ideas without mainframe computers.

Uwe Derksen, TMS director, says Margate was an ideal location to start the project. He said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this sum to kick-start the initiative and will soon be setting up Kent's first Fabrications Laboratory providing 3-D printing and similar facilities to reinforce Thanet's reputation as the place to be.

"The award shows massive confidence in Margate and means we can start to plan for phase two which will be to establish a permanent premises and developing tailored courses."

He added: "We will also be cultivating our national and international links for the wider east Kent economy."

TMS will take up space at Pop Up Margate in the High Street for digital printing and imaging.

The former Midland Bank and adjacent shop premises will be used for enterprise training/workshops for desk-based support and mentoring sessions. There will be internships for students and emerging creative professionals and the equipment will be available to businesses for training, prototyping and testing purposes.

Mr Derksen says the school is the first step in realising a longterm ambition. He said: "We aim to act as a role model for regeneration.

This is only the beginning of implementing the dream that our patron Arnold Schwartzman, a former Margate Art School student, and I together with Hugo Fenwick of Fenwicks Department Stores, have long nurtured.

"Our time has come and we shall be holding a networking session later this year to commence business.”