MORE than 17,500 jobs could be created in the South East as part of a new program of projects to increase opportunities for employment.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership has so far backed six provisional schemes totalling £8.7million to create a potential 2,365 jobs in Chelmsford, Harwich, Thurrock and Medway.

Now, plans for a further eight schemes could be in the pipeline with the potential to create another 15,270 jobs in Canvey, Chelmsford, Thurrock, Kent and East Sussex.

These include the creation of an Enterprise Centre in Canvey, improvements to Grays Magistrates Court and the Chelmsford Flood Alleviation Scheme.

John Spence, chairman of the South East LEP, said: “The projects that we have supported today show a wealth of opportunities across the south east to generate growth and create jobs.

“The development of a pipeline of schemes that can be delivered as soon as additional funding becomes available is further testament to this LEP’s desire to remove barriers to growth and create the most enterprising economy in England.”

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership is a partnership of private and public sector organisations working to increase economic growth in Essex, Southend, Thurrock, Kent, Medway, and East Sussex.

Details of the new projects have yet to be released.

For more information visit www.southeastlep.com