Hundreds of business leaders met buyers from Gatwick at an event to help the airport use suppliers from surrounding towns.

Last year's Meet the Buyers event, organised by airport staff, generated about £1 million of business for companies near Gatwick.

Sean Horkan, from the airport's owner and operator BAA, said: "Gatwick is a key economic driver for the region.

With direct on-airport employment for about 25,000 people, Meet the Buyers is one of the ways BAA Gatwick works to keep the regional economy healthy."

Wednesday, July 5, 2006