DOVER District Chamber of Commerce has broken away from Kent Maritime Chamber and a recruitment drive has been launched to win back members.

Chief executive, Ray Haines, says the Dover chamber will be viable, although it faces losses of about £8,000 from its failed merger with the Kent organisation.

Dover pumped around £11,500 into the Kent Maritime Chamber when it joined the four-area group in the summer of 2000, giving up its status as an independent chamber.

But local members have voted overwhelmingly to quit Kent Maritime and backed plans to revive Dover District Chamber of Commerce. The move comes amid fears that the larger chamber was in financial difficulties.

Mr Haines said: "We are very pleased to say that the de-merge has finally been concluded. We have a lot of re-building to do. Our membership during the period that we were part of Kent Maritime Chamber fell from 170 to its current level of 90 members.

"We are embarking now upon a significant programme of recruitment and we would ask all members wherever possible to lend their support to this."

Mr Haines urged members to encourage other businesses within the district to contact the chamber.

Mr Haines is based at the chamber office at White Cliffs Business Centre, Honeywood Road, Whitfield, phone Dover (01304) 824955.