A club for small and medium- sized businesses with exporting ambitions has been launched.

Called the North East Export Ambassadors Club, membership is exclusive to individuals who have joined the Trade Partners UK YourPassport to Export Success initiative, or who have undertaken an ExportExplorer programme to an overseas market.

Ross Cordiner, Trade Partners deputy international trade director for the region, said: "We commissioned a pilot study to see what businesses with exporting ambitions wanted out of a club, or indeed if they valued having a club at all.

"The response was clear. A Club was valued if it was a chance for like-minded business people to meet and talk informally. It should be organised by its members in a way members decided. It should be local rather than regional, and it should be free of charge."

Four branches of the Ambassadors Club are being established in County Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley, and the Tyne and Wear area.

Further information can be obtained from the international trade team at Business Link's local offices.

l Local Business Link offices telephone numbers are: Tyne and Wear, 0191-516 6700; County Dur-ham, 0191-374 4000; Northumberland, (01670) 813322; Tees Valley, (01642) 806666