MIKE Clarke Communications has been appointed by York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce to launch a PR campaign as part of its drive to double its 600-plus membership by the end of 2003.

The chamber, which covers an area bordered by Settle, Richmond, Scarborough and Selby, is drawing up a new package of member benefits and services as part of the recruitment drive.

The year-long contract underlines how after just 12 months in existence, the Harrogate-based PR consultancy, has become a significant force in the York and North Yorkshire business community

The task comes after Mike Clark Communications won a bid to devise and deliver a communications campaign for Docqwise, the York-based national document services company.

Meanwhile, founder Mike Clarke is conducting a similar campaign with Denison Till, the York commercial lawyers.

His rapidly-growing portfolio of clients includes Severfield-Reeve Projects of Thirsk, Avenue Data System of Hull, the Retail Tagging Organisation in Nottingham and health aid products business Promedics of Blackburn.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, January 14, 2003