AN ENTREPRENEUR who invented a new sport has won a top business award.

John Bennett's company What’s The Big Idea, of Dymchurch, was named Regional Winner in the Entrepreneur of the Year category of the BCC Chamber Awards 2004.

The award was presented at a dinner at the Carlton Hotel, Guildford and will now go on to be short-listed in the BCC national final in November, which has a £25,000 cash prize from Microsoft.

Mr Bennett invented the sport, Kurling three years ago after an accident which left his son disabled. It is now played all over the world by both able bodied and disabled people.

Mr Bennett said: "This award means so much to my company and myself, it is certainly a large job well done and a pat on the back.

"This is great for me because it is something special to receive an award for working at something I really love doing."