AN event in support of Bury's ethnic minority business community has been hailed a success.

More than 100 business people attended the meeting at the Village Hotel which was hosted by Business Link North Manchester.

The event was supported through the Bury Developing the Leading Edge Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and the European Regional Fund.

Guest speaker, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham voiced his strong support of organisations like Business Link North Manchester and pressed the Asian business community in Bury to use the help that is readily available for those wanting to start or grow their own business.

Doreen Caunce, social enterprise manager for Business Link North Manchester, said: "Bury has needed this type of business event for a long time and feedback has been exceptional.

She added: "The importance of getting these businesses together has been highlighted by the response we had to this event and hopefully we will be in position to organise further networking opportunities such as this very soon."

Main guests were Bury mayor and mayoress Councillors John and Stella Smith, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham and Mrs Humaira Ahmed, acting vice-consul at the Pakistan Consulate in Manchester. The evening ended with representatives from two Bury businesses, Intercare trading as Khidmath Homecare Services and Eurocollege Ltd giving very inspirational and motivational talks about their business experiences including their struggles and successes

The next Ethnic Minority Business Network Event will be held on Wednesday April 30 at Eurocollege, 30-34 Walmersley Road, Bury from 7pm until 9.30pm. This will take the form of a free Internet/broadband forum and any business interested in attending should call Doreen Caunce on 0845 608 3388 to reserve a place.