BUSINESS delegates from around the region gathered yesterday to hear the case for the development of renewable energy.

Among the speakers on the first day of the two-day event was Stephen Tindale, executive director of Greenpeace.

The event, held at Gisborough Hall, Guisborough, east Cleveland, and organised by North Shields-based conference group Whyman Group, brought key experts together.

Their message was that the business potential of renewable energies, such as wind and wave power and solar technologies, was immense and could bring huge investment to the North-East.

Mr Tindale said: "These are exciting times for renewable energy. Around the world, policy frameworks are being tightened up to promote the energy revolution we need to protect the climate and secure future energy supplies."