A RECORD number of visitors flooded the Three Counties Showground on Wednesday for the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Festival.

Business people from across the two counties took the opportunity to attend seminars, make new contacts and visit some of the 140 stands exhibiting.

Key speakers this year were Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, and author Allan Pease.

Ms Brady is the youngest managing director of a PLC in the UK and spoke about her experiences in business and how she had succeeded in a male- dominated industry.

Malvern Hills district councillor Michael Angell was one of those who attended Ms Brady's presentation.

He said: "Karren Brady's speech was one of the best I've ever heard as a businessperson. There was a lot of top advice there for local businesses. We were lucky to have her here."

Coun Angell said that the festival seemed to be going well and had provided him with some ideas for improving services at MHDC.

He added: "There's a great cross- section of businesses from across the two counties and it's certainly well supported. It's all been a bit of a shot in the arm for Malvern."

Ken Beecroft, director of the Malvern based Coaster Company agreed.

"It's even better than last year," he said. "We always meet new people and make sales and there's the opportunity to talk to new customers and get your name about."

Organisers had recorded around 1,048 visitors by the afternoon and said they were delighted at the growth of the festival, which began three years ago.

Charlotte Cunningham, business festival manager, said: "We're obviously delighted by the phenomenal response we've had. We'd had figures of 800 visitors by 11am and we've had really good feedback from exhibitors."