A FAVERSHAM-based firm has been listed as among one the country's fastest-growing businesses.

Flowerfete, the nursery and flower distributor in Graveney Road, was ranked 44 on the Vantis Hot 100 survey.

The firm, which has a turnover of £10.6 million and a growth rate of 85 per cent, employs 156 people nationwide. About 20 of these are based locally in or around the headquarters on the outskirts of the town.

It started four decades ago as a nursery but the distribution side began seven years ago.It has 14 distribution centres in the country, two packing houses and also two outlets in Europe.

The survey ranked the country's 100 fastest-growing private firms by sales turnover growth over a four-year period and was sponsored by the accounting and business advisory firm, Vantis.

In past years the firm has been listed on the Fast Track top 100 companies twice in a row. It has also been on the Sunday Times' list of best companies. The nursery has also been commended.

Flowerfete's managing director Colin Hills has been a finalist in the Southeast entrepreneur of the Year.