BANKS, insurance companies, IT firms and a greengrocer were among the many with stands at a business show on Thursday.

The venue was Folkestone's Leas Cliff Hall and the event was the Shepway Business to Business Show 2002, organised by the Shepway Business Centre at the town's new Shearway Business Park.

Almost 70 organisations set up stands in the hall with aim of promoting their services and wares and making new business contacts. Hundreds of visitors were proof of its success.

Peter Hobbs, of the Shepway Business Centre, said the show, only in its second year, had doubled in size. This year, as well as the stands in the main hall, smaller companies were offered the chance to set up on the hall's balconies.

Mr Hobbs said: "It went very well. The smaller business stands were sold out. We had everyone from banks, insurance firms, the Inland Revenue, IT companies and training consultancies to health and safety firms, office furniture people and local motor dealers.

"The aim of the show is to celebrate business and to promote local businesses working together."

Business people from across Shepway, Dover, Ashford and Canterbury were attracted to the show, which included a stand by Kent Business - the Kent Messenger Group's monthly publication for the business community.

The Folkestone Town Centre Management group had a stand in the main hall. Town centre manager Rob Woods said: "We attended with the aim of getting people to understand what we do, to network and to raise awareness."

Crystal Clear UK, of Canterbury Road, Folkestone, had their goods on display. Richard Ayre runs the firm with his wife Corinne. The company engraves crystal glass for special occasions and its customers include the Folkestone based holiday giant Saga and the Sandwich based medical firm Pfizer.

One of the most colourful stands was put together by Juicy Fruits of Folkestone and Dover, which has a greengrocery in Cheriton High Street. Passers-by were invited to try strawberries, melon, tomatoes - or whatever took their fancy.

The Kent Exporter of the Year 2002 competition was launched at the show. It is open to all businesses who export goods and services with an operating base in the county.

Entries will be split into three categories, depending on a company's annual turnover. There will also be a special award for the most promising new exporter.

Awards will be presented on Thursday November 28 at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.

The main sponsors are Barclays, the Kent Messenger Group and Micro Medical, with the Shepway Chamber of Commerce and Industry organising the awards ceremony together with the Shepway Business Centre. For more details phone 01303 270022.