COMPANIES can find out how to strike gold in the £500 billion public-sector market at a special event this month.

It is being organised by Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Advantage division, which operates a pioneering service to alert companies to regional, national and international tender opportunities in the public sector.

At the full-day event at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday, February 28, Gareth Jones, acting head of purchasing at the Department of Health, will give a powerful insight into how small and medium-sized companies can tap into the lucrative public sector.

He will be joined by Mark Box, a senior purchasing professional from the Ministry of Defence Suppliers Service. Also present will be Mike Kirkman, corporate procurement manager for Rochdale Council, who will offer advice on selling to local authorities.

Richard Coulthurst, supply chain development adviser for the chamber, said: "One of the business myths is that the public sector is only interested in contracting with large companies. Small and medium-sized businesses are losing out on billions of pounds of potential contracts.

"This seminar will show them the practical steps they need to take to start breaking into this enormous and lucrative market."