Business for Breakfast already welcomes professionals from a wide range of sectors to its fortnightly meetings at Wigan's Quality Hotel.

But bosses say the more members it attracts the more effective it becomes and they are also hoping to open up new meetings in the Haydock and Skelmersdale areas later this year.

One of the beneficiaries of the Wigan set-up was today singing its virtues. Paul Jones of Hindley-based Ideal Business Services was so impressed with Business for Breakfast that he is now heavily involved in its organisation as a moderator.

He said: "It is a great chance to network with other companies in the Wigan area, other companies that you would not normally come into contact with professionally such as an accountant, financial adviser, graphic designer or plumber.

"The trick is only to let one person in from each profession. At meetings you stand up and talk about your business, what you are looking for and ask other members to refer relevant work to you.

"I have had business put my way because of it. At present we have 27 members but ideally we would like between 30 and 40. And there are several openings, including ones for an estate agent, solicitor and architect. They would be welcomed on a first come first serve basis."

The annual membership fee is £398 if, after trying a meeting out, a businessman wants to commit themselves to it.

Mr Jones said: "If you consider how much you would have to pay to advertise in the Yellow Pages, this is a modest price with a much higher success rate at attracting business."

Anyone interested in attending should contact Business for Breakfast's head office on 0845 481 1929.