DAME Kelly Holmes CBE believes Kent has made greater strides than any other area of the country in how to maximise the opportunity presented by the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The double gold medallist at the Athens Games in 2004 and patron of the Kent Campaign made the claim at the official launch of the Kent Strategy for the 2012 Games on Monday.

She said: "It's the chance of a life-time. It's a chance not only to make a difference to your business and yourselves, but to get behind this opportunity and leave a lasting legacy of sport.

"The whole country can benefit from the Games, I travel the country and see the enthusiasm, but Kent is one step ahead of other counties."