Kent Thameside has become a hotbed of business start-ups as Dartford and Gravesend both set new records.

According to Duport - a 15-year-old business formation agency - 447 companies were set up in Dartford in the first half of the year, smashing the previous year’s figure of 408 for the same period.

In Gravesend, entrepreneurs founded 414 new businesses between January and June - beating the previous half-year best of 366.

The figures will hearten the government, which is pinning hopes for job creation and economic revival on the growth of small and medium enterprises.

Gravesham council leader John Burden said: "This is obviously very good news that people in Gravesham are so enterprising because that is one sure route to economic growth. The council has always tried to engage with the business community and support it where it can."

Cllr Burden, pictured above, added that its business breakfasts regularly attracted around 100 people and its economic development team offering advice and support were doing a good job.

"I truly hope that these new enterprises succeed and help the borough break out of the recession."

Peter Valaitis, managing director of Duport.co.uk said the entrepreneurs of Gravesend were showing "incredible resilience and optimism during the double-dip recession".

He added: "Dartford has been through some tough times in recent years, but
investment and development in the area are helping the town fulfil its
potential once again. New businesses are wise to set up here, and will
benefit from excellent transport links and a redeveloped town centre."