SELBY businesses are being urged to get involved in a high profile regional summit on climate change.

The conference is being organised by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, and Business In The Community, an organisation which promotes positive social impact through business.

Julia Cleverdon, chief executive of Business In The Community, said companies registering before Tuesday could secure one of only 170 places at the summit.

The conference is being chaired by the Prince of Wales, who will host it from London using a satellite link.

The event will be held at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, on May 1, and will mark the beginning of a national campaign for increased action on the issue.

Selby MP John Grogan said: "I congratulate Yorkshire Forward on hosting this important conference.

"There is an old Yorkshire saying: Where there's muck, there's brass.' "That could possibly be updated now to: Where there are carbon savings, there's also brass.' "I'm sure Selby businesses will be looking at not just how they can contribute to combating climate change, but also how they can save money, and in some cases provide products that will be profitable as well as environmentally friendly."

Ms Cleverdon said: "In many ways, business has been at the forefront of the efforts to tackle climate change.

"But the issue is so serious that we need more than the efforts of individual companies and the personal commitment of individual business leaders.

"The summit will provide a focus for collective action on climate change - harnessing the power of businesses to change their operating practices and use their positive influence with their suppliers and customers."

She said companies attending would be asked to outline the difference their business was making in the fight against climate change.

The hub of the summit will be held at St James's Palace, and will be linked by satellite to a network of regional events across England.

Ms Cleverdon said the calls to action from the regional summits would develop a single action plan, with support from Business in the Community.

She said those already working on and developing carbon reduction strategies would be encouraged to do more, and to share their knowledge.

Businesses wishing to register their interest in attending the regional events should go to www.bitc.org.uk/maydaybusinesssummit. Attendance at the hub event is by invitation only.