STAFF from regional development agency One NorthEast will today attempt to sell the North-East as the place to invest for North American defence companies.

Officials will work with the sector's North-East umbrella organisation, the Northern Defence Initiative (NDI), and ten regional aerospace firms, to convince US and Canadian firms to expand into the North-East, at the Farnborough International Air Show.

Pre-show telemarketing has been exploited to set up meetings with potential investors on the day. The show attracts 1,200 exhibitors - 186 from Canada and the US - as well as thousands of spectators.

NDI provides its members looking to sell into the defence and aerospace industries, with information, help and advice.