MORE than £2 million is to be spent by Medway council on turning Chatham into one of the leading cultural nightlife centres in the South East.

The money will be used to attract social and restaurant life close to the riverfront where there are plans to transform Rochester and Chatham between the castle and the historic dockyard.

Medway Council's Cabinet is expected to agree today to a four year programme that will encourage cafes, restaurants and entertainment establishments to move into the High Street area.

Cllr Alan Jarrett said before chairing the meeting: "It will bring in extra wealth from tourism, fulfil the needs of the transient student population and be attractive to the residents."

The student community is rapidly growing. The Universities at Medway campus in Chatham Maritime could have up to 10,000 students at its peak. Councillors and officials have visited Reading and Brighton to look at the way they have turned their centres into thriving student centres used by residents and tourists. The other groups on the council also back the scheme.