AN event to be staged in Durham City to celebrate the very best in business innovation has received influential backing.

Interprise 2001, which is being organised by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), will be held at County Hall on March 12 and 13.

The major event, which will focus on innovation in fields including medical technology, biotechnology, and nano industries, has received support from the Government Office for the North-East (Go-NE).

Go-NE has also linked the event with the DTI Smart programme, which awards grants of up to £150,000 to allow businesses to further their research and innovation.

Bob Dobbie, Regional Director of Go-NE, said: "We are very pleased to be working with CDDC.

"Smart encourages talent and technological innovation and improves the skills of the North East. There are hot spots of success in the region which we can develop further through this project.

"This event will allow North-East participants an opportunity to make and meet global contacts and provide a unique chance to discuss shared business interests on both national and international levels."

Smart is aimed primarily at small to medium-sized businesses, and is designed to help their ideas develop into products. During 1999-2000 a total of £20m was awarded in England.

Smart award winners receive automatic entry to Interprise 2001, which has now attracted more than 300 entries from businesses operating at the cutting edge of new technologies in more than a dozen countries including China and Canada.

Phil Eadon, Director of Marketing for CDDC, said: "We are delighted Go-NE is a sponsor for this event and that it is linking it with its Smart programme, which encourages innovation."

For full details of the event, including the programme of Technology Transfer and International presentations, visit www.interprise2001.co