THE York Knavesmire Chapter of Business Network International (BNI) today celebrated its fourth anniversary by announcing that its membership now totals 30.

BNI is an early morning networking referral organisation which insists on one member per business category to ensure that there is no cross-rivalry.

Chris Cassar, chapter director, said: "In those four years between us we have passed on 4,351 referrals involving £1.2 million worth of business, all of which is carefully monitored.

"In reality the figure is probably double that on the basis that once a referral is made and an amount is recorded, that's it. We don't continue to monitor the business that is done between the two thereafter."

BNI York Knavesmire is also well known for its charitable work.

Over the past three years, an annual ball has raised more than £20,000 for the NSPCC, which has shown its appreciation by awarding the chapter with a rare certificate of gratification.

This year's ball for the charity will be held at the Royal York Hotel on March 18.

The chapter meets at the York Novotel every Friday, at 6.45am.

Updated: 11:19 Friday, January 06, 2006