Dame Tanni brings curtain down; North East Chamber of Commerce.

A PACKED Newcastle Civic Centre saw the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) bring the curtain down on its 2008 corporate events calendar in style.

Nearly 400 business people from across the North East were at the NECC Annual Dinner, sponsored by the Port of Tyne, to hear at first hand the plans of new Northern Rock boss Gary Hoffman, who told businesses that since his appointment he had realised the importance of the Northern Rock to the region.

Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, chairman of Port of Tyne, said: "We are delighted to have worked in partnership with NECC to have delivered an event of this calibre for North East businesses.

"Global trading conditions have obviously had an impact on the region, so it is vital for businesses to pull together and continue to build lasting relationships.

"The NECC Annual Dinner provided a fantastic opportunity to do this."

Guests at the dinner were also treated to an appearance by Britain's most successful Paralympic athlete of all time, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who delivered an inspirational talk about backing up ambition with the hard work to achieve.

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INSPIRATIONAL TALK Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson spoke about backing up ambition with hard work.