companies are being urged to sign up for the second Herefordshire and Worc-estershire Business Festival.

Among the speakers for the event, on March 13, are rugby star Fran Cotton, former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam and minister for small business Nigel Griffiths.

There will also be a programme of business workshops throughout the day at the Three Counties Showground and a gala awards dinner at Malvern Theatres in the evening.

Some 110 companies, from the technical, manufacturing, leisure and service sectors, are expected to exhibit.

Paul Dawson, of the Chamber of Commerce, which is organising the festival along with Business Link, said a Bromsgrove company got orders worth £25,000 by attending last year's festival.

Companies who register via the website, www.businessfestival.co.uk, will have the chance to win prizes including a DVD player.