THE biggest names in business across Darlington and Teesside gathered for the Tees Valley Business Show at the Tall Trees Hotel, Yarm, near Stockton, last night.

The event, a light-hearted, networking evening, included a panel of business guests from the region who discussed the issues facing the North-East, including Corus and the Regional Assembly.

The panelists, including Joe Docherty, chief executive of the Tees Valley Regeneration Company, Caroline Hughes, founder and managing director of learning organisation Click Here, and Robin Bloom, partner and employment lawyer at Dickinson Dees, also answered questions from the audience on lighter topics.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, one of the event's sponsors, was also on the panel.

Organiser Hilary Dunn, of Enterprise Events Management, said: "The event was about companies meeting in a formal setting to enjoy a good meal. The intention is to put some social life into business."