FORMER boxer Cornel Sampson entertained members of Business League Network Rossendale with his varied career including working in Prague.

Cornel, whose merchant services business provides portable chip and pin devices, discussed the popularity of card usage and gave top tips.

At the latest Business League Network meeting, at Rossendale Rugby Club at Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, 25 different businesses attended.

Founder of league is lecturer Berni Roscoe. She said: “We can have up to 40-50 businesses attending the events in Rossendale and Accrington.

“At each of our events, we welcome guests to visit the league. At today’s Rossendale meeting we had several new people come along, which is great because they bring a new angle to networking and keep the meetings vibrant.

“We have a good solid core of 15-20 people who share the ethos of the group and people do get business out of attending – one new member got two jobs out of her first meeting.

“The meetings give members a chance to get to know each other better, share experiences, support each other and see how they can work together.

“Business League Network started as a college networking group but now is a business in its own right, however we still maintain links with the college who work with businesses to provide training and to develop tailored courses for future employees.”

Business Enterprise Trust development manager Jo Fulthorpe told the members about the availability of start-up grants for new businesses that are in their first two years of trading.

In the last 15 months, £1.5million has been granted to businesses mostly in the Lancashire area; for more information contact Jo on 01254 600625.

Business League is sponsored by AccRoss College and the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

The next Accrington meeting is on Tuesday 4 November from noon to 2pm at The Globe Centre, Accrington, and the next Rossendale meeting is on Thursday November 20 from noon to 2pm at Rossendale Rugby Club; for more information email berni@businessleaguenetwork.co.uk