Networking is crucial to business success in Bradford, delegates at an event in the city were told.

The event at the Midland Hotel was the first ever business networking lunch to be organised by the Telegraph & Argus in the city.

The reception was attended by around 60 of the city's business leaders, including Sharmilla Gandhi, chief executive of Bradford Vision, and Steven Gash, of Little Horton Lane-based chartered accountancy Clough and Co.

Welcoming guests, T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "This is the first of what we hope will be a series of networking lunches for the Bradford and district business community.

"There is no better way of doing business than through personal contact, and now even more than ever Bradford needs a strong and dynamic business community."

Following lunch, Robert McClements, business development director for Bradford University's School of Manage-ment, spoke on the importance of networking and business opportunities available in the area.

He said: "On the doorstep is a school which has work going on in every continent in the world. We are committed to going out and about and getting Bradford known."

He spoke about the school's history, services and clients, which include the BBC, Ciba, Kelda, Ford and ICI.

He added: "The business which we do is driven by networks. Networks are a good way of finding common leverage. This city is making some fantastic contributions on an international level."

Linda Ralph, training manager at the T&A, talked about the importance of training and work placements, and said developing staff was crucial to the future success of firms.

Karen Moore, marketing manager for Vicar Lane-based JobCentre Plus, said: "It was a good opportunity to meet people from the city's business community."