BUSINESS owners in West Devon will be given a chance to speak to the minister of State for Business and Enterprise and the MP for West Devon at an event next month.

MP for West Devon and Torridge Geoffrey Cox will host the event for the local business community with Minister of State for business and enterprise, Mark Prisk.

The Government recently appointed Mary Portas, one of the UK's leading retail experts, to lead an independent review into the future of the high street. As part of a drive to identify what government, local authorities and businesses can do to promote the development of a more prosperous and diverse business environment, it is hoped that forums, such as this one, will enable ministers to take on board the views and ideas of those running a business.

Mr Cox said: 'I have been running a campaign to bring greater attention to the interests of businesses in our market towns and rural communities with the aim of highlighting to both government and local authorities the positive changes that could be made to support them.

'As part of the campaign, I invited the Minister of State for business and enterprise to visit the constituency, with a view to providing an opportunity for members of the local business community to put their views and ideas directly to the minister.'

The business forum will be held on Wednesday, August 3 in Tavistock. Anyone who would like to attend or who would like more information should contact Geoffrey Cox's constituency office on 01237 459001.