THE PORTAKABIN Hire Centre, in Bridge Road, Ashford, celebrated its first anniversary with two successful open days that demonstrate the growing strength of the Kent economy. More than 50 local business representatives joined the birthday celebrations and saw for themselves the products Portakabin has to offer.

New business contacts and fresh sales inquiries were made as the company planned to make their second year in Ashford even more successful than their first. The company manufactures re-locatable buildings for businesses and schools and has benefited from a strong Kent economy in the last year.

Unemployment in the area has fallen by almost 20 per cent in that time. Spokeswoman Louisa Cooke said: "We had some excellent inquiries and I received a lot of positive comments about the various products that were on display. I am looking forward to an even better second year, in an area of the country that seems to be going from strength to strength."