Kent Business, the county’s long-standing monthly business supplement, is celebrating a special anniversary.

This edition marks 25 years since its launched, borne out of Kent Business Week, a weekly supplement of the now defunct Kent Evening Post daily newspaper.

In stark contrast to today, its first headline was “Kent’s cry for help”, calling for action from Whitehall on the county’s high unemployment, when 77,795 people were on the dole.

Kent presently has about 20,425 people on unemployment-related benefits and the UK unemployment rate is near its lowest since 1975.

Margaret Thatcher, the Duke of York and several Bank of England governors have been interviewed for the supplement, founded by former business editor Trevor Sturgess, who retired in 2013.

One of his proudest moments was when Kent Business was named as best niche publication at the Newspaper Society Awards in its 10th anniversary year.

“It was the best job in the company,” said Mr Sturgess, who keeps a framed picture of the first edition of the paper on his wall at home.

“I really loved it. We covered the opening of the Channel Tunnel, the high speed line and all kinds of things which made a big impact on the Kent economy.

“I can’t believe where the time has gone.”

Pick up a copy of Kent Business free inside the Kent Messenger, Medway Messenger and Sittingbourne Messenger, out today.