FIVE estate agents from the Maidstone and Medway area have proved themselves to be Kent's top teamworkers.

Directors and employees from the Regal Partners took the Kent Team Challenge Trophy after beating off competition from across the county in a gruelling set of tasks aimed at testing teamwork, communication, creativity and planning during Investors In People week.

The event, which was organised by Business Link Kent and backed by Investors in People, was held at Arena Pursuits near Bewl Water on the Kent/Sussex border and involved 24 teams from businesses across the county.

Among the tasks they faced were building a raft and crossing a canal, laser clay shooting, target archery, driving Honda pilot rally karts and quad bikes, negotiating an obstacle course in a vehicle with its steering direction reversed, crossing a (dummy) minefield and building and driving a 2CV car.

A team from Wisdom Solutions in Deal came second in the challenge and third place was taken by Autocheck of Sheerness.

Among the Regal Partners team - known as the Regal Rogues - was company director Austin Chapman, who said: "Regal Partners is committed to staff development and training, and we entered the challenge as part of our continued commitment to the Investors in People standard and to team building.

"It was an excellent day and we really enjoyed ourselves. There's nothing like starting the day with a dip in a freezing cold river. To win the trophy was the icing on the cake."