20 months gap in workpermit extnsion will effect my ILR?

[zircon]

Can anybody advice me for my eligibility for ILR application?

I have got my workpermit stamped for one year on 2nd of January 2002. But I have arrived in UK on 1st of June 2002. Later in December 2002 my employer had applied for my workpermit extension before its expiry and it was a very long process with long quires, appeals. After no of reapplications I left the company and joined an English company, they have processed my workpermit and it was extended for 4 years on August 2004 after a long gap of over 20 months. Still I am working for the same company. Please note my passport was with the home office all the time since December 2002 to August 2004. All the time I was working with the first company until I joined this current organisation. This is the brief history of my visa in UK.

Now! I think I am eligible to apply for ILR from first week of May 2007 with the new rule of 5years. Now! Can any one advice me when can I apply for my ILR?

Thanks,