by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent's record-breaking business show ended on a winning note for inventor Mark Brice who is now poised to become a millionaire after Lord Alan Sugar's right-hand man Nick Hewer backed his "mole".

Mr Brice, from Wingham, near Canterbury, won the Kent Innovation Showcase for the best commercial idea of the year.

The contest was judged by Mr Hewer at the Kent 2020Vision expo held yesterday at the County Showground, Detling.

It has taken him 16 months to perfect the Geo-mole, a pneumatic device that drills down into the earth to allow installation of pipework without the need for large rigs or excavators.

Mr Brice, who has been in the mole industry for 20 years, says interest in the energy-saving product has already come from South Africa, the United States, Canada, Germany and Spain.

"It's brilliant news," he said after winning the glass trophy.

"It's nice to be noticed and get recognition."

"Experts have tipped the product to make him a fortune.

"A lot of people have told me I'm going to be a milionaire. That's a bit scary but we'll wait and see what happens."

More than 4,000 people flocked to Kent 2020 Vision, making it the biggest business show in the south east.

There were 350 exhibitors covering a mile of exhibition space. A 25 yard networking wall - claimed to be the biggest in the world - was filled with 1,000 contacts.

The show attracted top speakers such as Mr Hewer, James Caan, from Dragons' Den, Fame Academy's David Grant and Jo Salter, the UK's first female fast jet pilot.

Bob Jones, chief executive of organisers Business Support Kent, said the fifth annual show was the best yet.