TROUBLED Maidstone Chamber of Commerce has lost its second senior figure in just over a fortnight with the resignation of its chairman.

Bryan Godwin stepped down on October 7 minutes before an emergency board meeting was due to discuss the chamber's situation after the sudden departure of chief executive Bill Alder on September 20.

Mr Godwin, a former advertisement director with the Kent Messenger Group, had only been in the voluntary part-time job for six months, although a director for two years.

He said that following Mr Alder's shock resignation, certain things had come to light of which he had been unaware. This was unacceptable.

"It was the disclosure of things that have come about in the last few weeks that I was not totally aware of before and I felt I ought to have been," he said. "As chairman, I should have been aware of everything."

He declined to disclose what things had come to light but said they were "important." He admitted he was not satisfied with the chamber "structure."

Mr Godwin was away on holiday when Mr Alder quit although he was kept in touch with developments by mobile phone.

Mr Godwin worked closely with Mr Alder, whose whereabouts are unknown. He has not been in touch with staff or directors since the day he walked out.

"What he has done was totally out of character but you rarely know anybody one hundred per cent," said Mr Godwin.

Mr Reading replaced Mr Godwin as chairman. He said after the board meeting that he was unhappy with Mr Godwin's decision. "It was an exceptional blow," he said. "All it does is put a lot of stress on the other directors."

But it was not unusual for chamber directors to move on. "It's the nature of our board," he said.

Directors ordered a probe into the chamber's books following Mr Alder's abrupt departure. Accounting firm Dendy Neville has uncovered a number of problems, as well as losses for the financial year ending in March.

Mr Reading was unable to say what sum was involved but admitted it was likely to run into five figures.

Meanwhile, the board has decided to appoint a new chief executive. Three candidates were due to be interviewed this week. Mr Reading said he hoped an appointment would be made within a week.

He insisted the chamber had a good future despite the turmoil of recent weeks. "This is the county town and what would Kent be with a county town without its own chamber?"