Tracey Emin, Gary Rhodes and other faces with strong connections to Thanet should star in a hall of fame to inspire innovation, according to a top business expert.

Bob Jones, chief executive of Business Support Kent (BSK), wants to reward those who have been successful in creative industries.

Emin - who will honour her childhood home with a huge pink neon sign that will read 'I never stopped loving you', due to be installed above the entrance to Droit House at Margate harbour later this year - has been tipped as a potential candidate.

It could coincide with her planned high-profile return to Margate in 2011, when the 46-year-old Turner Prize nominee intends to stage a solo exhibition at the town's Turner Contemporary art gallery.

Mr Jones told the KM Group's monthly Kent Business newspaper: "The hall of fame is an interesting idea that would inspire people to be innovative and creative. We need to be celebrating people who demonstrate the type of behaviours we want to encourage in our young people."

Celebrity chef Rhodes, who studied at Thanet College, Broadstairs, could also secure a place in the hall of fame.

He may be joined by Kent fashion designers Karen Millen and Zandra Rhodes, the late TV presenter Tony Hart, from Maidstone, and Peter Firmin, from Blean, who created Bagpuss with the late Broadstairs resident Oliver Postgate.