A FAST-GROWING estate agents which "thinks outside the box" was named as Kent's top business on Thursday night. According to the judges, Ramsgate-based Miles and Barr is no ordinary business.

The privately-owned firm began life eight years ago with three staff in one office. It now has more than 160 staff in 12 East Kent offices.

It took the top prize at the 2007 Kent Business Awards at Detling Showground. There were 11 other awards in the competition, which attracted record entries.

Judge Dick Pascoe, representing Kent County Council which sponsored the company of the year award, said: " It may seem that picking an estate agent as the Kent Business of the Year is an incongruity but in this case Miles and Barr are no ordinary estate agents.

"From the outset they showed that they think outside the box, get heavily involved in their local community and have a strong dedication to their staff. This company is one that is as different to what we know as estate agents as chalk is to cheese."

The Kent Business Person of the Year award went to John Elliot, managing director of Tonbridge-based Millwood Designer Homes. Mr Elliot founded the business in 1992 by selling his own home to build two others. The company now has a £40 million turnover and is regarded among the country’s top three per cent of housebuilders.

Companies from all over Kent were among the 36 companies honoured.

Winners:

Company of the Year (sponsored by KCC): Miles and Barr, Ramsgate. Runners up: Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Park; Veetee Rice, Rochester.

Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Invicta fm): John Elliot, Milward Designer Homes, Tonbridge. Runners up: Robert O'Connor, Howletts and Port Lympne; Celeste Baskerville, Totallyweddings.com, Ulcombe.

Best New Business (sponsored by IOD Kent, Kent Messenger/Kent Business): C.A.T., Herne Bay. Limited.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award (sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland): Leeds Castle Foundation.

Small and Medium Sized Company (sponsored by Business Link): The Woodley Coles Limited Liability Partnership, Ashford.

Excellence in Training and Development (sponsored by The Learning and Skills Council): J.M. Hairdressing, Northfleet.

Social Care Award (sponsored by KCC): Beech Tree Total Care, Margate.

Customer Service Award (sponsored by Brachers Solicitors): ADM Computing, Canterbury.

Innovation in Business (sponsored by Land Securities): Astraguard Ltd, Sevenoaks.

Creative Industries Award (sponsored by the Kent Film Office): Medb Films, Ramsgate.

Health and Safety Initiative (sponsored by Argyll Insurance Group): Millwood Designer Homes, Tonbridge.

Voluntary Sector Award (sponsored by Pfizer): Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Mencap.