by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent has teamed up with Essex to bid for a "powerful" local enterprise partnership.

LEPs will replace regional development agencies, including the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), in April.

The joint bid, promoted by Kent and Essex County Councils and backed by business, was submitted to the Government by yesterday's deadline.

Council leaders claimed it would be a powerful partnership between business and local authorities that believe in the potential of the two counties to become economic powerhouses.

Original plans for a Kent and Medway LEP have been abandoned in favour of the new grouping.

However, it is understood that Medway, although informed about the new proposal, has not yet signalled its agreement.

The role of LEPs has been unclear, but it is emerging as a new body that will encourage business growth and skills, and promote essential infrastructure.

The plan was confirmed at a recent meeting of the Kent Economic Board.

Chairman Geoff Miles said: "We are right behind the Kent and Essex bid and we understand that through working with Kent and Essex we have a better chance of competing with the City Regions in the North and North East to support business expansion, attract investment and encourage spending in the Growth Areas.

"There is a great opportunity to redress the East-West prosperity imbalance around London.

"This partnership can champion and tackle the area's key infrastructure investments that are needed and help kick-start priority projects."

KCC leader Paul Carter said: "The Kent and Essex LEP gives us a unique opportunity to work together to build prosperity for the region.

"Our approach will be lean, pragmatic and business-focused to support the best investment for Kent and Essex."

With a combined population of 3.4 million and a business community of nearly 115,000 companies supporting 1.3 million jobs, Kent and Essex combined are bigger than 13 European countries, contributing £55billion to the national economy every year.