THE launch of an organisation that boasts the likes of Kofi Annan and Bill Clinton as former members brought young professionals out in force.

A total of 170 people in their 20s and 30s attended the launch event for Junior Chamber International (JCI) in the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead.

JCI has more than 250,000 members across 121 countries, and has 30 branches in the UK, but has not had a presence in the North-East until now.

With the backing of One NorthEast and the North East Chamber of Commerce, JCI North East aims to cultivate future leaders.

Anyone interested in JCI can visit the website www.jcinortheastengland.org