New University of Greenwich campus at old Chatham dockyard will also be used by University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University College.

The regeneration of the Thames Gateway as been given a £47.5 million boost by new plans to expand the University of Greenwich campus.

Based at Chatham Maritime, the expanded campus will be used by other Universities – including the Canterbury Christ Church University College and the University of Kent, and will see student numbers double to reach 6000 by 2010.

The money comes from the OPDM (£15 million), South East England Development Agency (£8.6 million), and from the Medway Council, Mid Kent College, the University of Kent and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Thames Gateway Minister Keith Hill said: "A successful higher education sector is a key component of the regeneration of the Thames Gateway, and supplies people with the right skills that are vital for creating sustainable communities. “

The project is expected to create around 600 new jobs.