A DELEGATION of North-East business leaders will seek commitment from leading politicians to address major issues facing the region.

Managers from companies employing thousands of staff and contributing millions to the local economy will be at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) annual conference, in London, today.

The ten-strong team from the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) will call for improvements on transport, employment legislation and red tape.

Conservative Party leader Michael Howard will be one of the politicians to attend.

The event will also offer the opportunity to learn more from Sir Michael Lyons, the man charged with reviewing the relocation of government jobs from London to the regions.

Sir Michael is also looking at business rates.

The NECC representatives will be pressing for a commitment not to return localised rates, which caused disparities in the past.

Alan Ferguson, NECC president, said: "The BCC conference will put senior political figures face-to-face with local businesses, giving us an unrivalled opportunity to press home key messages."

Mr Ferguson, executive chairman of Fergusons Transport Limited, will be accompanied by NECC vice-president and Parkdean's Holidays human resources director Maggie Pavlou and immediate past president John Irwin, director of storeys:ssp.

John Mowbray, director of corporate affairs and environment at Northumbrian Water plc, Martyn Pellew, group development director of PD Ports plc, George Cowcher, NECC chief executive, and NECC policy director Andrew Sugden will also attend.