A LEADING independent financial advisor has hit out at strict regulations which he says are shackling the industry.

Alok Dhanda was one of only a handful of people from the UK eligible to take part in the Million Dollar Round Table event in the US.

Membership of the organisation attracts more than 8,000 consultants worldwide and requires individuals to raise a certain amount of commission before they can join.

But Mr Dhanda, the owner of Dhanda Financial, of Newcastle, said: "The UK has the strictest regulations on financial advisors and because they have received a negative press in many ways in recent years it has made things difficult."