BUSINESSES from all over the world will be attending a trade exhibition in Bury -- without leaving their offices.

The Bury Council-backed Bury Business Network project is staging the town's first Virtual Trade Exhibition to show off the products of firms via the internet.

Through real-time 3D interactive techniques, those accessing the site will be able to take a virtual tour of Bury, register and enter the exhibition and visit four Bury-based business exhibition stands.

The idea is the brainchild of project manager Brian Berry. He said: "The use of real-time 3D interaction over the web is now achievable and will be widely used in the next few years. I thought a virtual exhibition using this technology and involving real businesses in Bury would be the best way to demonstrate this vision."

The team had a head start on the project as a the Bury-based Tickle Group is the first in the UK to work with Turntool Aps -- software that delivers real time 3D interaction online.

Other partners in the project include Business Link North Manchester and Salford University's Centre of Virtual Environments.

Susan Warburton, of Business Link, said: "It provides a real and relevant model of how technology can assist small businesses."

And Karen Podmore, of Salford University, added: "We are very hopeful that when other businesses see what can be achieved they will also want to take advantage of the opportunities on offer to them through regional and EU funding.

The exhibition is launched on Tuesday, March 30, at www.burybusiness.net and following the link to the show.