TWO old school chums who blow a breath of fresh air through the world of enterprise have breezed to Medway's premier business award. Colin Outram and Richard Johnson first met when they were pupils at the Hundred of Hoo Secondary School.

They shared a driving passion to run their own humidification business, and their determination paid off when Humi-Tech Services was named Medway Small Business of the Year at a gala VIP awards dinner in Gillingham Golf Club.

"We are completely shocked," said Mr Outram after staff and bosses collected a trophy and cheque for £1,500. "The competition was so strong that we never expected to win.""

Mr Johnson said the triumph for the company, based on Pier Road Industrial Estate, Gillingham, would inspire it to even greater things. "This competition has really given us the inspiration to push ourselves further to improve our business," he said.

Mr Johnson disclosed that Humi-Tech would be opening a retail outlet at Pier Road, probably in December, to sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers to the general public. He hopes that Chris Simmons, DC Mickey Webb in The Bill, will open the new store.

The Wholemeal Sandwich Company, on Medway City Estate, won the second prize of £1,000. Boss Ricky Francomb and staff Chris Pegram, Cathy Hollman and daughter Leeanne, shouted with joy when the result was announced.

Mr Francomb said: "We are successful because of the staff and the products we sell. They are the main ingredients as well as being cheerful and happy."

Fastparts Motor Factors, Medway City Estate, won the £750 third prize. There were special prizes for Rochester Print Finishers (£500 for outstanding achievement) and Arethusa Venture Centre, Lower Upnor (£500 for achievement in the community).

For the first time in the awards 18-year history, a video was shown of all 13 finalists. It was also the first time that a formal dinner had been held, followed by live music until 11pm.

The 18th annual awards were sponsored by Lloyds TSB Bank, Medway council, Medway Chamber of Commerce, Reeves and Neylan, Business Link Kent, the University of Kent at Medway and Medway Today.

Other finalists were: Enterprise Envelope Company, Fast-Data, Naughton Project Management, Passe-Partout Consulting, Press-Tech Cutting Formes. Trax UK, Zendrill Scaffolding and Zync Solutions.