THE president of Ireland will be guest speaker at the North East Chamber of Commerce's (NECC) annual meeting next week, it has been announced.

Mary McAleese will attend the function at Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, at Kingston Park, Newcastle, on Tuesday, September 16, where she will talk about trade links with Ireland.

This year, the NECC is planning two annual meetings for its Tyneside and Wearside members.

The Wearside annual meeting will be held the next day on board the Mercy Ship Anastasis at Sunderland port, where Ray Spencer, the managing director of the Customs House, in South Tyneside, will talk about the contribution of arts and culture to regeneration.

An NECC spokesman said: "It is a real boost to have secured such a high-profile speaker such as the president of Ireland.

"This year, we decided to hold two meetings to give members easier access.

"The good news is that even though it will incorporate all six of our Tyne and Wear committees, it will not be six times as long and should only about half an hour."

The meetings both start at 11.30am and will be followed by a business lunch, ending no later than 2pm.

To attend, call 0191-386 1133.