ALL 90 staff with a management consulting firm are in line for a bonus after its triumph on the county's business night of the year.

Bob Laslett, chief executive of Canterbury-based Chaucer Group, promised to give every employee a cash bonus after it was named Kent Company of the Year for businesses with less than 100 employees at the prestigious annual Kent Business Awards.

At a glittering ceremony in the Saga Pavilion, Sandgate, near Folkestone, sponsor judge Rebecca Casson, development manager for Kent County Council, presented the firm with a silver trophy hand-crafted by Kent silversmith Paul Harrison.

She said it was an outstanding company and praised it for ensuring that every new employee was presented on day one with a laptop, printed business card, mobile phone with pre-programmed numbers, and company car.

Mr Laslett said: "We have a fantastic company. We've grown and I think we've done a great deal for Kent."

Victory was sweeter this time because the Kent Business Awards had grown nationally and internationally since the last time the firm won, he said.

He pledged that Chaucer, which has turnover of more than £15m, would celebrate the achievement with a staff bonus and an extra special Christmas party.

Abbott Laboratories of Queenborough, part of the worldwide pharmaceutical group, was named Kent Company of the Year for businesses with more than 100 employees.

Bryan Raine, KCC's head of economic development, presented the award to manufacturing director John Walsh. Asked how it felt to win, Mr Walsh said: "Fantastic!"

Judges said Abbott placed people at the heart of its operation and the company showed a high level of commitment to internal staff training and community development.

They added: "Together these factors are the work of a company always striving towards the recognition and promotion of excellence and this vision has helped Abbott achieve impressive advances."

It was a record year for awards and entries. Graham Webb, the chairman of judges, said it showed there was "plenty of vibrancy in the county."

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, KCC leader, told the 420 business people and their guests: "The Kent economy is driving forward. We are now the best business location in the United Kingdom and thank you all very much for what you are doing."

Geoff Clark, of ITV Meridian, presented the black-tie event that has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Music was provided by the Bradley Webb Trio, a band that is about to embark on a world tour with young jazz singer Amy Winehouse.

Other awards went to Alison Williams, chairman of Whitstable-based company FDS (Kent Businesswoman of the Year); PAB Electronics, Margate (Employability Award); Frog Creation, East Sutton (Small Business); Telabria/Shepherd Neame, Faversham (Technology Award); The Hop Farm Country Park (Tourism); Chatham Historic Dockyard (119 Regeneration Areas Business Award); Andrew Boakes, Southern Salads, Tonbridge (Best Boss); Hospice in the Weald, Pembury (Voluntary Sector); MCCH Society, Maidstone (Social Care); Ward Security, Rochester (Success through Investors in People; and The Hop Shop, Shoreham (Rural Business).