THE number of business start-ups in Kent leapt by a third in the first half of the year.

Research by Barclays, the high street bank, showed around 7,300 new businesses started in the county, up a third on the same period a year ago when 5,400 enterprises opened for business.

Kent achieved 92 starts for every 10,000 adult population, just above the national average of 90.

Medway also saw a big rise in start-ups -- up from 900 to 1,100 -- but the number of starts per 10,000 population lagged behind at 73.

Kent compared well with East Sussex (91 starts per 10,000 adults) but fared less well than West Sussex (93). Surrey and the Isle of Wight led the way with 108 starts per 10,000 adults.

Nationally, Barclays found that a record 288,000 new firms started up, almost a quarter more than the same period last year (233,000). This is the highest level since Barclays began tracking the market in 1988.

Hazel Hanson, Barclays' area manager for small business in West Kent, said: "These are excellent results for Kent and show that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the area.

"The Rail Link and Ebbsfleet in North Kent, the growth around Ashford and the opportunities created by EUjet's new services from Manston are all combining to provide real growth.

"There is a strong demand for services which provides many opportunities for people who have the initiative and drive to start their own businesses.

"Medway has also seen a real improvement but lags behind Kent and there is work to be done there."

The South East is a hotspot of enterprise, with 46,000 new businesses setting up in the first six months of the year.

Regionally, London led the way in the national rankings of business start-ups. Outside London, Blackpool recorded the highest start-up rate followed by Somerset and Manchester. The South West was the leading region.