DEALS were done over tea and toast last week when St Albans' Business Referral Exchange (BRE) held its first breakfast meeting.

And the event was such a success that the group is to hold the meetings every Thursday morning and is inviting new members to attend.

The exchange is a group of business people who share leads and contacts. Last year more than 500 business leads were exchanged, worth thousands of pounds.

Marketing firm The Olden Group joined BRE 18 months ago.

Managing director Miss Caroline Bramwell said: "Joining BRE has been the biggest generator of new leads for us.

"Word of mouth is the most effective way to get new business."

Regional partner of BRE, Mr Lloyd Dalton-Brown, said: "The first visitors breakfast was both successful and enjoyable.

"The idea is to secure more opportunities for local businesses to secure more business and this is what we achieved."

The BRE holds its meetings at the Constitutional Club, Oswald Road, St Albans.

Companies interested in attending future meetings should telephone 01442 213278.