TRADERS can create new contacts and increase their links with other businesses at a new group.

The Theydon Bois Business Group, which meets twice a month, already attracted a "diverse group" of entrepreneurs to its first meeting in July.

Alison Dawkes, who owns business Glow Happy, started the group.

She said: “I am very pleased with the interest shown so far and already we have 60 people on our Facebook group. There is a gap in the market for a group that can cater for those who can only meet at certain times of the day.”

Meetings will take place in the day and during the evening, offering traders the chance to meet others at times that suit them.

Evening sessions take place on Mondays at 8.30pm at the Queen Victoria Pub, Coppice Row. Daytime meetings are held on Wednesdays at 2pm at Theydon Bois Village Hall in the Poplar Room. Sessions cost £4.

For more information email alison@glowhappy.co.uk or phone 07912412747.