SOME of the region's top businesswomen have a lunch date near Darlington this week.

The Women into Business network was launched by the North East Chamber of Commerce in April to provide a platform for local businesswomen to discuss key business issues.

The second meeting takes place at Walworth Castle Hotel on Friday.

Keynote speaker at the lunch will be Cheryl Black, customer services director for Scottish Water, whose topic is "putting the customer at the heart of your business".

Scottish Water has 2.5 million customers and a turnover of £888m a year.

Ms Black, who has also worked as customer service director for Orange and as head of call centre services for Acxiom, will be sharing her experiences of life working for Scottish Water and several other major companies.

She said: "I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and listening to the views of fellow businesswomen. It's vitally important we get an opportunity to air our views and its pleasing to see the North East Chamber of Commerce is playing a key role in supporting women in business."

Susan Williams, marketing manager at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Women into Business network provides an important forum for women from all levels of the business world to meet together, share ideas and make new contacts."

The lunch will begin at noon. For more information or to reserve a place, contact Tracey Wallis Million at the Chamber of Commerce on 0191-374 6460.