A company set up by a group of former Pfizer employees is one of the first businesses to be based at the east Kent site which Pfizer is leaving, according to BBC Mobile.

The Research Network, which employs seven former Pfizer workers, is operating from Discovery Park in Sandwich.

In February, the drugs giant said it was closing its Sandwich base. The government recently announced the site is to become an enterprise zone.

Andrew McElroy, chief executive of The Research Network, was made redundant from Pfizer in July. "There's a lot of change happening at the Pfizer site and as other Pfizer groups disband we're growing; we're a small island there of activity that's expanding,” said McElroy.

"We're one of probably about a dozen different spin out groups, we just happen to be the first to occupy some offices there,” McElroy said.

The Research Network works to connect staff and businesses across the pharmaceutical industry.

McElroy said, "It's a bit like a dating agency for scientists.”  He continued, "We'll find the right person to work with, the right company to work with and then we'll help with the logistics.”