by business editor Trevor Sturgess

It was "one amazing day" as apprentices and Lord Sugar's right-hand woman Karren Brady took centre stage at the region's biggest business fest.

More than 4,000 people packed the county showground for the sixth Kent 2020 Vision, along with some 300 exhibitors from the south east and Northern France.

This year's focus on apprentices persuaded 80 firms to pledge to take on a young person this year, while a further 480 signed up for more details.

A competition to "win an apprentice" brought scores of entries.

Dozens of enthusiastic young apprentices showed off their skills such as hairdressing and leadwork.

They also toured the stands talking to bosses about the importance of hiring young people.

For one there was a great result - the offer of a full-time job starting on Monday.

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "It's fantastic news."

He added that more than 3,000 apprentices had been taken on by the public sector and business in Kent in the past year.

Meanwhile, Karren Brady, vice-chairman of West Ham United and adviser on The Apprentice, said enthusiasm was the main quality she looked for in new recruits "above and beyond" academic qualifications.

She spoke about balancing a family life - she has a teenage daughter and 12-year old son - and doing a high-powered job, and the sexism she faced when she became chief executive of Birmingham City at just 23.

She said it was important to give women responsible jobs but was wary of boardroom quotas.

Firms without senior women should justify their decision in the annual report.

"If it's not about not wanting to employ a woman, but more about not finding the right woman, we need to know that the skills gap is."

Bob Jones, chief executive of show organisers Business Support Kent, said it had been "one amazing day".

Next year's Kent 2020 Vision will be held on April 19.