BUSINESSES in Worcestershire affected by flooding are being invited to join forces and help each other get back on their feet.

A networking event is being organised so bosses can share experiences and contacts in the industry that might help them get over the damage caused to their businesses by floodwater last year.

Maggie Foster, along with her husband Dennis, is a director of a coaching, counselling and training company called Metalearning Solutions, which recently moved in to Bridge House, Waterside, Upton-upon-Severn - a building badly affected by the summer floods.

She said it was the events of June and July that inspired them to "invest in the town" and help those who are still recovering from the ordeal.

She said: "We will be running our own business alongside this, but this is purely to source all of the resources we have to help those affected by the flooding.

"One of the things we have noticed, having worked with major organisations, is that the words social responsibility' rarely come up so we want to bring that to people's attention too. A lot of people we have spoken to about this are thrilled. Hopefully we can make a difference."

Mrs Foster said at times like these it was important for businesses to help each other.

She said: "It's about working together and not feeling isolated because there's nothing worse than feeling isolated.

"We want to build a kind of lobby and get the resources together that are needed to get businesses back on their feet. We want to help them understand they are not alone, share their experiences and talk about their goals and where they want to be and help them get there."

The networking event, which will also act as a launch party for Metalearning Solutions, will take place at Bridge House at 12.30pm on Saturday, January 26.

Mrs Foster, who lives with her husband in Ryall, near Upton, said she hoped future networking events would raise funds to help flood victims.

For more information on the networking event or to reserve your place, telephone 01684 593958 or 07966 743216 or e-mail maggie@metalearning solutions.co.uk