Hosted by Kent Science Park in a marquee set in the Woodstock Club grounds, 12 companies went up to collect their certificates from the Deputy Mayor of Swale Cllr Richard Barnicott and economic regeneration portfolio holder Cllr John Wright.

Cllr Wright said the future for Swale is bright with a significant £1.2 billion being put into regeneration plans to revamp Sittingbourne's town centre. He did concede however one of the most pressing needs is to sort the endless traffic queues which cost business lost time and money.

First up on stage for one of the final top awards was Rodmersham Village Store voted Best New Business. Run by friends Emma Beckham and Emily Brooke, the shop has been turned into an Aladdin's cave of fresh produce, a tearoom and a wine club, all in one year. This was despite being faced with a Post Office closure when it was taken over.

Emma said:" We are friends who shared the same views and ambitions and knew that we could work together as we had already done so. That is how we met. We have the same vision, love eating out and have been inspired by the Parisian cafe culture."

Entrepreneur of the Year went to The Reynolds Group a fast growing and innovative health club and dance school based in Sittingbourne. The glossy fitness centre is complimented by a very active performing arts training college where children as young as three can train through to adulthood and a number of graduate students have become stage performers, choreographers and teachers around the world

The best business runner up prize went to Proquis Limited based at Kent Science Park, a company founded by David Best in 1992 and offering regulatory and management control services on an international scale to the aviation and health industries. This company although small is a lifeline to the corporate giants and works with rather than just for these firms.

Winner of the 2008 Swale Business Awards and a cheque for £2000 went to Chalkwell Garage and Coach Hire Ltd enjoying its 75th birthday. The company is almost a legend in Swale and was founded by operations manager Roland Eglington's East End mechanic grandfather who saw a future in Kent. The company now has 100 employees.

Mr Eglinton said: "We pride ourselves on providing professionalism with a personal touch. This year we have launched new products which have taken off remarkably well.

"Examples of this are our new London theatre programme and coach holidays to Europe. We travel to France, Belgium and Holland and recently started going to Italy, Austria and Germany.

"We continue to invest heavily in newer vehicles and facilities despite increasing costs like fuel, which has seen an increase in our overall performance. We have taken further advantages of cutting edge technology such as CCTV and internet vehicle tracking to further enhance our operation."

Other finalists included: ABC Environmental Ltd, Ameythst, Capital Care Ltd, DRBM Office Solutions, Due Dilligence Solutions Ltd, Gerald Lukehurst, NFS (UK) Ltd and The Safety Training Unit Ltd.

Sponsors were: The East Kent Gazette, HSBC, Kent Science Park, McLaughlin Hook, O2, Spain Bros, Swale Borough Council, Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce, University of Kent and Whitehead Monckton