LAND of Leather is the fastest-growing company in the county, according to a new guide to Kent and Medway's high-fliers.

The Northfleet-based retailer of leather suites with outlets in Maidstone, Canterbury and nationwide, has enjoyed more than 1,600 per cent growth in the past four years. The firm saw sales rise from £4m in 1997-98 to more than £72m in 2000-1.

The company topped the list of 50 enterprises in Megagrowth 50, the first-ever guide to the county's fastest growing businesses, sponsored by KPMG and Lloyds TSB Commercial, and produced by the Kent Messenger Group.

Direct Build Services, Sevenoaks, and International Air Charter, Ramsgate, were second and third respectively.

Other firms in the Top 10 were Elec-Track Installations, Hythe; Ferns Surfacing, Allington; Howard Hunt City, Dartford; Sunspot Tours, Cranbrook; R and R Technologies, Strood; Seguro Travel, Edenbridge; and Villagate Properties, Westerham.

Professor Richard Scase, Kent Business columnist and well-known business forecaster based at the University of Kent, was guest speaker at the breakfast launch in the Russell Hotel, Maidstone.

A copy of Megagrowth 50 will be distributed with the June issue of Kent Business, which will include full story and pictures of the launch.