THOUSANDS of pounds worth of computer equipment is on offer to young business people in Kent in a competition for innovative companies.

The 2002 Young Entrepreneurs' Challenge, organised by the county branch of the Institute of Directors, is open to any company registered in the last 24 months.

Short-listed candidates will have to make presentations to leading directors at a dinner in London next month.

Jill Cochrane, Institute of Directors Ken chairman, said: "We all know that the future success of Kent business will depend largely on how we encourage and bring on budding entrepreneurs and this competition is one way that today's business leaders can invest in that."