Local companies of all sizes are being urged to embrace the Internet.

Keighley-based Internet specialist E-Business Made Simple (Ebus.co.uk) says businesses in the area have been slow to take advantage of all the Internet has to offer.

Now managing director Len Buck is looking at setting up a regular monthly forum for local firms to rectify that.

He says: "If we could hold a monthly forum with local firms it would give us the chance to open their eyes to the opportunities out there.

"We work with a lot of larger companies, including Blue Chip businesses like Hush Puppies. They ask us to do things on the Internet for them, but no-one else sees them.

"We want to open people's eyes to what the Internet is capable of doing for them."

Mr Buck says many of the websites already on the Internet are business to business, with access restricted to account holders and existing clients using passwords.

"A lot of the smaller companies seem to throw together their own websites, and they could be much better," he adds.

"If we could organise a regular forum with local businesses we could help to show them the way forward. We don't have the space at our own premises, but would be willing to run the forums if someone could provide a meeting place. It would be non-profit making, so free use of premises would be ideal. We could provide the equipment and expertise, so there would be no cost involved."

Mr Buck, 43, is Keighley born and bred and has a background in selling - most recently as a financial services adviser. He set up Ebus.co.uk in Keighley two years ago, after two years in Bradford. The company now employs eight people.

He says: "Businesses are sceptical and even afraid of the incomprehensible jargon and the tidal wave of good and bad publicity regarding the Internet. We aim to take the mystery out of the web and help businesses to use Internet technology to add value and service to existing clients and give them the opportunity to increase their client base and profitability."

His company has produced websites for small local businesses as well as large Blue Chip clients. For the last two years Ebus has worked with Skipton-based Huntleigh Direct, helping to build and plan its website project. Other projects include developing the Tetrosyl (Car Plan) website. Local clients include George Farrar Quarries in Keighley and Hewenden Mill holiday cottages at Cullingworth.

As well as design and programming, the company offers 0800e callback facilities to connect browsers by phone to companies with the click of a mouse; E-Web-Pay advice on online transactions; E-Datadiscs, business card sized CD Roms containing multimedia presentations or catalogues.

New this year Ebus is offering a website marketing package to analyse search engine performance and increase visitor numbers, and a range of other new products is in the pipeline.

Anyone interested in helping to set up a regular Internet forum should e-mail forum@ebus.co.uk or telephone 01535 608910.