THIS year's second annual Kent Careers Expo was so successful that it led to calls for it to be taken to other parts of the county. Thousands of people turned up to the Ramada Hotel and Resort (formerly the Great Danes Hotel) at Hollingbourne.

With more than 30 exhibitors, there was a new job opportunity waiting for just about everybody at the event sponsored by the Kent Messenger Group. Visitors ranged from pupils at school to older people looking for a change of career, or forced by redundancy to look for something different.

"Superb," declared Andrew Cassell, of New Appointments Group. "There have been very high attendance levels and once again it was publicised well by the Kent Messenger Group. We are busier than we were last year." He said that the firm had taken a lot of CVs from visitors. "Hopefully, we can place them in work," Mr Cassell said.

Despite low unemployment in Kent and Medway - just 2.4 per cent - there were plenty of vacancies for the right people.

ABC Holiday Extras, based at Smeeth but soon to move most of its operations to purpose-built offices at New Inn Green, was looking for a range of staff, including some for its call centre.

"We would give them every opportunity to develop and train, to grow them," said group personnel manager Mary Harding.

She added that she would like to see a similar event in Ashford or Folkestone.

Royal British Legion Industries, Aylesford, took a stand this year. Staff explained how the disabled could best find work, and urged employers to take on more disabled people.

"Look for ability, not disability," said David Rowlands, director of employment and development with RBLI Workwise Employment Services - part of Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).

He said some employers were "disabled-friendly" but more needed to be done by many others. "Give that disabled person the opportunity to work and see what they can do," he added.

Sainsbury's used its distinctive orange display to woo would-be employees to its stand.

"It's a very good show," said Colette Richardson, training manager at the Hempstead Valley store. "A lot of people who have been made redundant are looking for something else. There are also people with previous skills looking for something part-time."

Local stores had a number of full-time, part-time and seasonal vacancies, she added. "We've got vacancies that are ideal for all sorts of different needs."

KMG Expo co-ordinator Sue Huntley said there had been more than 2,000 visitors. "The overwhelming majority of comments are very positive and they all said they would be interested in attending next year," she said.

KMG would be looking at the possibility of taking Kent Careers Expo to other venues, possibly Ashford, Canterbury or North Kent.

"To organise an exhibition like this takes a lot of time and effort and we wouldn't want to get involved with more than we feel we could handle. But it's certainly something on the agenda for next year."