A college principal has said his students' futures are being "gambled with" unless politicians decide on a clear economic vision for east Kent.
Graham Razey, of Thanet College, said it must be decided whether tourism, the expansion of Manston Airport or green policies offer the best opportunities.
Unemployment in Thanet is more than double the South East average.
Thanet District Council said the private sector is also responsible for growth.
Kent County Council figures show unemployment in Thanet is 6.2% of the population, compared with the south east average of 2.6%.
'Lost opportunity'Mr Razey disagreed with Thanet District Council's decision to oppose all night flights at Manston Airport.
"I just hope we haven't lost an opportunity to create many jobs for our young people," he said.
"Farnborough College of Technology has a specialist centre for the training of aviation. Why not Thanet College working in conjunction with the airport to create the specialist training needed for the 3,000 to 4,000 jobs that I think are achievable?"
Mr Razey said in order to design the right courses, he needed to know what sort of employment the area was trying to attract.
He said: "We need to know what we want to be. We need to have a coherent strategic plan for east Kent."
Rob Hetherington, head of regeneration at Thanet District Council, said: "What we're trying to do on the economic development side is move away from it just being the council driving this.
"Regeneration is not just the remit of the council, there are other public sector bodies involved in it and the private sector.
"We've bought together the Thanet Regeneration Board to widen the remit of people trying to steer the regeneration agenda, so it's not just the local authority."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Sussex village's bonfire futures looking bleak - thisissussex.co.uk
BONFIRE celebrations in some East Sussex villages could be a thing of the past if local groups continue to struggle for money.
Mayfield and Fletching bonfire societies said this year's events would go ahead but after that the future was bleak unless people were prepared to help or give money.
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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help: Jo Lee, vice-chairman of a Mayfield bonfire society
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burning out: Mayfield Boyes and Belles Bonfire Society carnival and procession
Crowborough's organisers also said they are "struggling".
They have blamed the lack of community spirit in their villages.
Jo Lee, vice-chairman of Mayfield Bonfire Boyes and Belles Society, which has been running for more than 50 years, said each year they had to start from scratch.
"Funds we collect on the night just go to charity. None of it comes to us at all," she said.
"In years gone by we have managed to raise enough to have a slush fund. Paraffin costs are rising and people are not spending on entertainment.
"You have villages, such as Rotherfield and East Hoathly where people have a community spirit.
"Mayfield is different. It is a commuter village.
"People are quite happy to invite friends down for the event but don't want to help.
"Basically my message is 'support us or lose it'."
Sarah Bradford, chairman of Fletching Bonfire Society, said it cost £10,000 to put on the event each year and fundraising had not been as good as in the past.
"We are going to try and plod on as long as we can," she said.
"We get no support from the village. A lot of people have come from outside. They use the village at a weekend. Most of our fundraising is supported by family and friends of the committee."
Nigel Cassford, chairman of Crowborough Bonfire Society, said the group had been struggling for the past three years.
He said: "People are working longer and don't have as much time. Getting sponsors is harder and harder because they don't have as much money to give.
"We have had to economise. For example we dropped the fireworks display a few years ago. We are not in difficulties as such but times are tough."
But Les Pike, chairman of Rotherfield Bonfire Society, said his group had great support. He said: "We have well over 100 supporters. There is a fantastic community spirit in the village."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Coryton Oil Refinery: Workers demonstrate at minister meeting - BBC News
Oil refinery workers from Essex facing redundancy are to demonstrate at a meeting at the Department of Energy and Climate Change later.
Union officials and local politicians are meeting energy minister Charles Hendry to discuss Coryton Refinery.
The Unite union has attacked moves to start laying off 180 workers.
The union said a buyer could be found for the site which went into administration when the owner, Swiss-based Petroplus, collapsed in January.
Unite national officer Linda McCulloch said: "Unite will be asking for an update at the meeting on any bid that is on the table to safeguard Coryton and the 850 jobs under threat.
"We have called for short-term state aid to tide over Coryton until a viable purchaser is found.
"The Coryton workers are demonstrating outside DECC to drive home the message that the refinery can have a viable future if the necessary political will is there.
"The closure of the plant would be a disaster for the workforce and the surrounding local economy."
About 180 jobs will be cut next week at the refinery, its administrator PwC has announced.
The administrator has confirmed that while it continues to work with various parties which have expressed an interest in acquiring the Coryton site, it was highly unlikely that it would be sold as a refinery.
Last week the government ruled out state aid for the plant, saying that "overcapacity in the refining industry and declining demand for petrol mean that it would not be sustainable for government to provide assistance".
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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