MEMBERS of the business community gathered to hear author, broadcaster and former politician Edwina Currie speak at St Helens Chamber's fourth annual dinner.

More than 200 business representatives met at the Haydock Thistle for the evening dinner and dance. They were welcomed by the chamber's deputy chairman, Nick Rushbrooke and entertainment was provided by jazz-swing trio, Ipso Facto.

Kath Boullen, chamber chief executive, said: "The success of this year's annual dinner has re-confirmed the fact that the event is now a key date in the local business calendar. Securing Edwina Currie as guest speaker was the culmination of an exceptional year for the chamber, which has had a string of successes, from hitting a record membership of 890 to joining a select number of chambers achieving full BCC Chamber accreditation."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.