PLANS are afoot to follow up last month's successful Business And Environmental Conference near York.

The one-day conference, conceived and hosted by York-based commercial law firm Denison Till, attracted 150 delegates.

Sophie Howitt, sustainable development manager of Yorkshire Forward, a key sponsor of the event, believes that similar corporate green get-togethers could help businesses in Yorkshire to grasp the opportunity to use the region's wealth of environmental assets and become leaders in environmental technology.

Ms Howitt, a speaker at the conference, said: "Our research has shown that there is potential for the environmental economy to grow, and it's important that we encourage and support that growth so that the region can reach its full economic and environmental potential."

Chief executives, entrepreneurs, owner-managers and financial directors converged on the conference, which featured former National Farmers' Union president, Sir Ben Gill as keynote speaker and was also sponsored by Business Link York and North Yorkshire, the University of York and Science City York.

Steered by TV news anchorman Peter Sissons, the key aim was to highlight ways that businesses can increase profits by adopting environmental procedures, such as by turning waste into new products.

Andrew Lindsay, head of Denison Till's commercial department, who has a special interest in environmental law, said: "We are delighted with how the conference has been received."

Updated: 11:00 Monday, May 10, 2004