THANET'S new hothouse of enterprise - the first of its kind in the county - is set to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Kent Innovation Centre (KIC) in Broadstairs was launched with a VIP ceremony at Thanet Reach Business Park.

The £3 million complex will nurture hi-tech ideas and transform them into cutting-edge businesses.

Tony McDonald, Pfizer's IT research director and centre chairman, said KIC would eventually be home to 200 jobs.

But he estimated that for every new job at the centre, five more would be created in other parts of the economy.

"These kind of companies will have a multiplication factor in the area," he said. "They will need to use local services and it could be five per job at the centre."

Cllr Bill Palmer, chairman of Thanet council, opened the centre, saying it provided "a wealth of sophisticated facilities and business services to help innovation and entrepreneurship flourish."

He added: "The opening of Kent Innovation Centre marks the start of a new chapter in Thanet's development. Its arrival is great for everyone and I am sure that that the centre has a long, successful and prosperous future ahead of it."

The three-storey building is the result of a partnership between the council, Canterbury Christ Church University College and local firms.

The money has come from local taxpayers, the Single Regeneration Budget and the European Regional Development Fund.

Thanet South MP Steve Ladyman, a centre board member, said: "Thanet has got to make its future in modern industry and we've got to encourage local people to take and entrepreneurial attitude to get businesses moving forward."

Scietech Educational is one of the centre's first tenants. Managing director Don McLeod said the firm had been looking for this kind of accommodation for 10 years.

"When we moved to Thanet from Canterbury, there was a real shortage of decent accommodation for small office-based companies," he said. "A move like this is ideal for us."

He added: "This an exciting IT environment to work in, and a real jewel in the crown for Thanet."

KIC has 46 wired workspaces available in a range of sizes from 13 sq metres to 105 sq metres with "easy-in, easy-out" lease terms from three months to three years.

Tenants are offered business services and expert advice, and some may be eligible for enterprise and other grants.