DOZENS of local firms were able to highlight their wares at the Thanet Business Showcase held at Kent International Airport, Manston.

Keen to show what they can provide, the variety of businesses included solicitors, accountants, a private hospital, mobile telecomms specialists, printers, computer systems providers, recruitment, health and fitness, estate agency and vehicle leasing.

Most businesses agreed the day at Manston had proved to be a worthwhile one with many making new sales leads or reaffirming existing contacts.

Julie Elder, a director of Court Stairs at Pegwell Bay, said there had been a lot of interest from businesses in its conference facilities.

Di Daw, manager of The Spencer Wing private hospital in Margate, said they had a lot of enquiries for health screening, physiotherapy and its new cosmetic surgery services.

Chief executive of Thanet and East Kent Chamber of Commerce Lorna Wells said she was pleased to see new faces at the event, the fourth of its kind and there appeared to be more people from outside Thanet attending.

The showcase was described as a good flag-waving exercise for his company by Hans Berrow-Retallack, finance director of estate agent Oakwood Homes, and some useful contacts had been made during the day.

Robin Evans, marketing manager for solicitor Boys and Maughan, commented his firm had fielded enquiries from potential new clients as well as taking the opportunity to meet with current ones.