A TRAILBLAZING business show at the St Lawrence cricket ground next month is set to be a big hit.

Organisers of the B2B Business Exhibition on February 7 claim that it is "the first truly independent business exhibition to be held in the East Kent area for years."

The event is being organised by the Canterbury chapter of Business Network International (BNI). Formed in 1997, it has 42 members who have passed some 16,000 business referrals to each other, generating business worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Last year, BNI members worldwide passed more than two million referrals worth more than £500 million. More than 40 exhibitors will be showing off their wares at an event that starts with an invitation-only Champagne and pastry breakfast.

Laurie Philp, chairman of B2B's organising committee, was delighted with the strong demand for stands. He said: "We now have taken both floors of the cricket ground's Colin Cowdrey Stand and the indications are that we can expect upwards of 400 people through the door."

"This is excellent news, as it is just what BNI is all about -- meeting people and doing business."

Mr Philp added that because of the strong demand for this year's show, BNI was already thinking about holding it again in 2004.

B2B will be open from 9am to 4.30pm.