TONIGHT is the night the cream of the County Durham business crop has been waiting for.

The first County Durham Business Show takes place at the Hardwick Hall Hotel, in Sedgefield, with the highlight being the announcement of the winner of the Lifetime of Achievement Award.

The award will be presented to a County Durham business person by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo.

Guest speaker will be business commentator for the BBC Justin Urquart Stewart.

The former barrister, whose brother Simon is a farmer in Northumberland, is expected to outline the problems facing businesses seeking funds for expansion.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to addressing the County Durham Business Show. I want to focus on the problems faced by small businesses looking to get off the ground, as well as the current issues facing the financial services industry.

"There is a wealth of business support organisations, and it isn't often easy for people to find the right advice for their particular problem."

The after dinner speaker is expedition leader Major Ken Hames and international illusionists will add cabaret style to the event.

The show has been organised by Enterprise Event Managment, with County Durham Development Company as the major sponsor.

It is the first of two such events to be held this year.

The Tees Valley Business Show, now in its fifth year, takes place on October 10, at the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm.

Marketing manager of Enterprise Event Management, Hilary Dunne, said: "The North-East has a thriving business community which values these events as an opportunity to network in a relaxed, informal environment.

"The importance of controlled growth and enterprise in local businesses will be the focal point of the evening."