FIRMS across a large part of Kent are being encouraged by Chamber of Commerce leaders to do business with the big rival of one of its own members.

Kent Gateway's discount healthcare deal delivers potentially thousands of pounds of new premiums to Bupa rather than county-based provider Axa PPP.

Chamber staff working on the scheme hoped to arrange a special deal with chamber member Axa PPP Healthcare in Tunbridge Wells. But after lengthy talks, PPP was unable to agree a deal and the chamber switched instead to a national scheme run by Bupa for the British Chambers of Commerce.

The scheme is being promoted to some 1,500 member firms across Maidstone, Ashford, Shepway and West Kent.

"We wanted PPP to be involved but they turned down the opportunity," said chamber chief executive Chris Capron. "I was disappointed and would rather have linked up with a member but it was not to be."

PPP spokesman Ben Faulkner said the company had tried to develop "an offering" for chamber members in conjunction with an independent intermediary.

A package of benefits had been made available to small business members of the chamber via an intermediary. "But unfortunately this has not realised its full potential," he said.