A NETWORKING group that helps small businesses grow by building relationships has passed on more than £12,000 worth of work since it launched two months ago.

The For Networking Middlesbrough group, which meets fortnightly at the Best Western Hotel, in Marton Road, in the town, enables business professionals to showcase themselves and their companies.

It plans to double its 15- strong membership within the next month.

For Networking is the fastest-growing networking organisation in the UK, with more than 260 groups nationwide.

Because of the rise of social networking, the organisation has also invested in an online members’ forum, which has more than 38,000 people chatting and exchanging business.

One business that has prospered thanks to For Networking is North Yorkshire integrated marketing company Little Black Box.

The company partners, Mark Mildren and Francis Vassallo, have used For Networking to increase their profiles in the North-East business community and break into new regions.

There are regular meetings in Darlington, Northallerton, Durham, Newcastle and York.

Operations assistant at the Darlington group, Hazel Oliver, of Wensleydale Storage Solutions, who has been a member for more than a year, believes networking has been the major factor in the growth of her business.

To join the group, call Gerri Riddiough on 0751-563-3080 or go to 4networking.biz