If you have ever wanted to take part in your own nerve-racking detective film, or unravel puzzles with the clock ticking against you, then The Panic Room is the right venue.

In 60 minutes you have to work out clues, challenges and brainteasers around you so you can get out.

It is great teamwork for a staff or family outing and the Gravesend Panic Room, based centrally at Berkley Crescent, has more than 1,500 star reviews on TripAdvisor as well as being rated the number one fun attraction in Kent, and second best Escape Room in the UK.

Established two years ago by Monique and Alex Souter, the company has taken off in popularity and now employs a manager and 30 staff.

The company originally started from scratch with no funding. The owners simply saved around £2,000 and set up in a pop-up setting at Gravesend Old Town Hall to see how it would go.

The effort put in to create an awesome experience has now blossomed into an escape room giant comprising three buildings in Gravesend and one in Harlow, Essex, totalling 15 different Panic Room experiences.

The owners say their business is different from so many others in that they never stop, never settle for less and are always looking for the next great opportunity. Taking many risks has enabled them to get to where they are today and it has paid off.

The Panic Room is among several firms to enter the first Gravesham Business Awards, celebrating the success of local business.

Size is irrelevant as is turnover and the only prerequisite is that the company pays rates to Gravesham council and has been trading for a year prior to January 1, 2017.

Three experienced judges will decide the winners and each entrant will receive a free business profile in the Gravesend Messenger. A gala night in the spring of 2018 is planned for all the finalists.

This year’s sponsors are: University of Greenwich, Barnes Roffe, Handleshanken, KM Media Group, Kufflink, Gravesham council, Rise Communications, Hatten Wyatt, Caxtons, Partnership Invoice Finance, GK Coffee Group (Starbucks), SoftForge

To enter, log onto graveshambusinessawards.co.uk