The Mayor of Calais is calling on companies in Kent to relocate to northern France so they can maintain trading ties with the European Union after Brexit.

Writing in the KM Group’s newspaper titles this week, Natacha Bouchart welcomed the new Prime Minister Theresa May and reminded her of the two regions’ “unbreakable” bond.

She described Calais as the natural gateway between France and Britain and proclaimed “tourists, businessmen, traders, institutions, politicians, I mean ‘you’re welcome’.”

She said: “What brings us together has always been more important than what divides us. Let’s continue to build the future together!”

The mayor told the KM Group that British companies could be lured by Calais’ “very competitive” property prices.

“Some of them may find it worthwhile to move to Calais to be located in the EU while remaining close to Kent,” she said.

“Calais has the advantage of being at the crossroads of several strategic transport infrastructures. It can attract investors.”

Giedre Brandao, managing director of AbBaltis, a global blood plasma supplier based in Sittingbourne, said her company would consider opening premises on the continent if it meant she would keep her customers in the single market.

She said: “If we have to go through a lot of red tape to ship our materials to the EU but it means our customers don’t have to, then maybe that is what we have to do. There is always a solution.

“If we have to do that to stop us losing customers then we will. We could have a small warehouse with one or two staff in the EU but we would keep our lab teams in Kent.”

Some businesses were not as keen on Mme Bouchart’s proposal.

“It’s a lovely offer but we’ll be remaining in the UK,” said Emma Pullen, managing director of the British Hovercraft Company, who supported the Leave campaign.

“This is the greatest time that we’ve had,” she said. “We’ve had so many inquiries from all over the world since Brexit – they’ve gone through the roof.

“The lowered value of the pound is awesome for us. For a company that exports all over the world – not just in Europe – this really is a great time for us. I’m actually gearing up to hire more staff.”

John Angell, of the John Angell Jewellers in Dover, said it would be impractical.

He said: “I have enough problems running a business in Kent let alone abroad.

“In my trade the jewellery in France is totally different in taste and design and even in laws affecting the trade.

“I don’t think my firm could do it in physical and practical terms but has the Mayor of Calais asked if it’s possible to move French firms over here? We would love to have French bakers and delicatessens.”

Mme Bouchart said the Brexit vote had been “expected” in Calais but warned there would “inevitably be consequences and this will probably not be as cordial as one wants to say”.

However, she said she aimed to improve links with Kent by opening a language school in March next year to help address communication barriers.

She also advocates the creation of a Transmanche Metro, linking Ashford and Calais by rail through the Channel Tunnel within 30 minutes.

She said: “The ambition that I have for my country is that the residents of Kent have the feeling of being at home in Calais. Kent and Pas-de- Calais regions are sisters, but they do not communicate enough with each other.”