WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has joined forces with a number of partners for the benefit of local business.

With Herefordshire Council, the district councils and the Chamber of Commerce, backed by the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the county council is to take part in the area's first Meet the Buyer event in September.

Teamed with the expertise of Meet the Buyer veterans in Advantage West Midlands' Regional Supply Office, the event should produce wins for local suppliers and buyers from all over the UK.

Dean Brotherton, of Advantage West Midlands, said similar events across the West Midlands had produced benefits for the local economy, local businesses and the local community. He explained: "The event has two main objectives - to enable suppliers to find new customers and subsequently boost their sales, and to help buyers to identify new and more competitive sources of supply. The benefits are clear."

Carl Wyard, senior economic development officer with the county council, said: "This is a good example of effective partnership working, and will provide a tremendous opportunity to generate more business in Worcestershire."

The inaugural event will be held at Bank House Hotel and Country Club, Worcester, on Thursday, September 19, from 9am to 5.30pm.