IT WAS the night that the Cambridge phenomenon met the York phenomenon.

More than 70 professionals, as well as delegates from Science City York converged on York St John College this week to learn any lessons they could from experts on the hi-tech boom which has swept Cambridge.

York can boast its own boom over the past six years, during which more than 2,600 science and technology-based jobs have been created in the city, bringing the total jobs in the sector to 9,000.

The event was organised by the York Professional Initative (YPI) and sponsored by Science City York and Yorkshire Forward.

The two Cambridge experts were Bill Wicksteed and Richard Hindle from economic development consultancy Segal, Quince Weeksteed.

The two men described the similarities and differences between Cambridge and York.

Similarities were that both were medium-sized cities with an attractive environment, distinctive image and magnets to tourists and businesses. Both cities had universities which were key economic drivers.

The differences: Cambridge had larger research facilities while York had a greater administrative, service and manufacturing centre.

Afterwards Professor Tony Robards, chairman of YPI, said: "While we are not trying to replicate what happened in Cambridge, there are important lessons to be learned.

"One in particular is the need to develop a strong professional base which understands the needs of technology-based industries."

Solicitor John Yeomans, vice-chairman of YPI, was also impressed. He said: "The Cambridge phenomenon shows what can be achieved by the right mixture of available strong university research, determined entrepreneurs, effective professional support, available finance and premises and the development of an enterprise culture based upon a city and a region."

Updated: 11:32 Friday, February 18, 2005