Mike Stokes of Ballast, the main contractor, handed the keys to David Parry, the conference centre director at a celebration in the new building.

Representatives from the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, who part-funded the project, management and staff from HRI East Malling, and representatives of the main contractors Ballast, joined architect Devereux and project manager Hornagold and Hills, to witness the event and take a tour of the new venue.

The centre will be opened officially on September 20. It also boasts an exhibition area, audio-visual facilities, two meeting rooms, an organic garden, and one of the largest horticultural libraries in the country.

Dr Parry said: 'Today marks the culmination of several years of effort to turn our original dream into a reality. The building is everything we had hoped for and more, and provides HRI with a resource unrivalled anywhere in the region.'

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