WORK has started on a £4.2m expansion scheme aimed at keeping Harrogate firmly in the premier league of the conference and exhibition trade.

The district lies third behind London and Birmingham in the lucrative market.

The development will turn two exhibition halls in King's Road from single to two-storey buildings.

This will provide more flexibility for the Harrogate International complex which includes the conference centre, exhibition halls and the Royal Hall, the latter of which is about to undergo an £11m restoration scheme.

Paul Lewis, director of the International Centre complex, said the new meeting rooms would help Harrogate compete with its major rivals.

"The trend in conferences over the years has changed. Where it used to be big sessions in one hall the movement has been to many sessions in smaller groups. And that is why we are keeping up with the changes."

New developments will create facilities for 800 in one room or have the building sub-divided into nine smaller rooms.

Mr Lewis said: "To maintain our core business profile and grow it has been apparent for some time that we must develop more on site space. The conference market is evolving and as an international venue we must adjust and meet demands of a changing conference scene or else we die."

Harrogate's position in the market is based on £144m spent last year because of business tourism.

Mr Lewis said Harrogate's success had been boosted by attracting medical and health care sector events, along with financial and IT conferences.

The latest expansion programme is expected to be completed by next summer.