A BOLD bid which could turn Bidborough into the Dallas of West Kent is gathering pace.

Midmar Energy UK Ltd has submitted a detailed application to prospect for oil in the village.

In July The Courier reported Bidborough could become the next Brunei if the company strikes it lucky.

After successful engineering and transport studies, the company is awaiting planning approval from Kent County Council to construct a temporary drilling site near Judd's Wood.

Data would be logged to establish if it is economically viable to start drilling more permanently.

Although in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, managing director of Midmar Energy Group Dr Tom Redman insisted the company's operations would be "unobtrustive at all times."

The site would be screened off with soil embankments and site traffic would be limited to off-peak times.

Dr Redman said the company wanted to start exploration by the end of this year but admitted it was more likely to be the beginning of 2011.

The farmer of the land, John Foster, said he was "happy" for the company to carry out their work.

"I suppose like everybody else I was a bit surprised when they said they were coming to Bidborough," said Mr Foster.

"It's not a problem for me though."

If oil was found it would be pumped to the surface near Gate Farm Road and vehicles would access the site using Brook Street and Haysden Lane in Tonbridge.

Dr Redman said if there was enough interest school visits could be organised for pupils to learn about the history of the earth beneath them.