A TOWN'S business community received a boost when a traders association was saved following a crisis meeting.

Bishop Auckland Business and Traders Association, the organisation that represents the business community, had warned that it could disband unless it secured more members.

This would have left businesses in the town without a voice over matters that could potentially affect their companies.

But at a crunch meeting on Monday evening, an increase in membership secured the group's future.

Before the meeting, there were just 21 members and afterwards there were 35 members