Darlington branch of the Federation of Small Businesses is holding a meeting at the town's Blackwell Grange Hotel at 7.30pm tomorrow, to discuss issues affecting the business community.

An invited panel will answer questions during the event. Guests include Gateshead MP Joyce Quin, John Elliot of the Business for Sterling group, FSB press and parliamentary officer Stephen Alanbritis, Ray Jobling from InBizz, which provides start-up training for new businesses, and the editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron.

The meeting is open to the public and the branch's 700 members.

Branch chairman Peter Troy said issues for discussion would include the effects of foot-and-mouth."

Information on the federation can be found on its website at www.fsb.org.uk.