ILL health has prevented the boss of a new agency from celebrating its early success.

Now open for business at 85 High Street, Chatham, Medway Enterprise Gateway (MEG) is the first enterprise gateway in Kent, part of a network of 20 such gateways being established across the South East.

It aims to help fledgling businesses, boost the economy and create jobs in Medway, an area that already boasts around 800 creative enterprises.

Alastair Dean, its first chief executive, had worked hard on the project for several months, but was taken seriously ill shortly before all his efforts could be celebrated.

Gateway champion Jay Choudhry, founder of award-winning hearing aid manufacturer Puretone, based in Medway City Estate, said he was very sorry to hear of Mr Dean's illness, but was pleased to hear that his health was improving.

He said the official opening ceremony would be postponed until the spring when he hoped Mr Dean would be well enough to attend.

Meanwhile, Linda MacLeod, Business Link Kent's enterprise development director, has taken temporary charge.

She said: "MEG is all about tapping into Medway's existing reservoir of innovative, creative business talent, helping those with great new business ideas to get started successfully and increasing business survival rates.

"We want to encourage entrepreneurial thinking, answer the practical needs of Medway entrepreneurs and accelerate the growth and expansion of young companies, on the ground, right now."

MEG, which offers work-stations and other practical help, can tap local experts to help would-be entrepreneurs turn their ideas into a successful business.

MEG has won financial support from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Business Link Kent, Kent Institute of Art and Design, Medway council and North Kent Chamber of Commerce.