The UK-arm of Unisys has been awarded an outsourcing contract with Kent county council worth around £32 million.

It says it is to create and manage a public information network and security service until late 2012.

The network will connect around 1,100 of the region's public sector establishments such as schools, libraries and council offices, with the company stating it will double the capacity for internet access offered by many primary schools in the area.

Duncan Tait, vice-president and managing director for Unisys in the UK, Middle East and Africa, commented that the deal reflects how innovative local authorities are "increasingly recognising the advantages of sharing public sector IT resources to improve the services that they provide".

Leader of Kent county council Paul Carter said the move is expected to result in "enhanced public services for the people of Kent".

It was reported today by ComputerWeekly.com that Westminster council will have completed the outsourcing of all of its IT services by 2015.