OIL and gas companies are being given the chance to forge links with prospective clients from Saudi Arabia during a trade mission in the North-East later this month.

Saudi representatives will be travelling to the Offshore Energy Centre at the Amec Yard, Wallsend, for a day-long meeting with companies from across the region next Wednesday, March 24.

The event will also be attended by key suppliers, to AOC Leiden, which is looking for business from small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK.

International trade advisor for the Northern Offshore Federation, Joanne Leng, said: "We hope companies from across the UK will take this unique opportunity to find out more about the market with one-to-one contact with the people who have the power to really make things happen." Tickets are £20 plus VAT. Anyone interested in the trade mission is asked to call Joanne Leng on 0191-417 4256.