Businesses from Gloucestershire are being wooed to cross the Severn and take part in a forthcoming growth-focused event just over the Welsh border.

Organisers behind the Newport's Business Growth Expo have already signed-up a cross-section of firms as exhibitors from across the South West and Wales.

The Business Growth Expo is due to take place on Friday, September 28 between 10am and 3pm.

Star name on the list of speakers is former British athlete and one-time professional basketball and rugby player now coach and businessman, Derek Redmond - best known for his heroic finish at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Redmond, who hobbled to the finish line in the 400m sprint after tearing a hamstring, is to open the Business Growth Expo at the Coldra Court Hotel with a talk entitled 'Sport is a business and business is a sport'.

Mr Redmond said: "The mindset of a successful sportsperson is no different than that of a successful businessperson. In both sport and business you have to be focused, disciplined, committed and passionate, otherwise you won't succeed. Sport has given me the traits and characteristics to help me in business."

Kate Lloyd, who organises the event and also runs Spotlight Newport with husband Julian, said: "We are excited to announce that Derek Redmond will be speaking at our expo.

"We have had so much interest in stands from businesses in the area, and the number of visitor tickets booked through Eventbrite are increasing daily.

"It is set to be an amazing first event for Spotlight Newport. We have a limited number of stands still available, and would love to speak with an accountancy firm, and an insurance broker who would like to exhibit."

The expo is expected to attract hundreds of visitors from Newport, Cardiff and the south west of England.

More than 50 firms will exhibit, with only one stand per business category in order to 'lock out' competitors.

Stand holders confirmed to date include United Commercial, The HR Department, Excellence IT, Chatterbox Communications, Minuteman Press Newport, Cheesecake Recruitment, Robertsons Solicitors, Thomas International, South Wales Chamber of Commerce, The Celtic Manor and AVA Security.

The expo also includes a ticket-only networking breakfast from 8.30am, as well as a number of seminars throughout the day on topics including 'The Power of Referrals', and 'The Benefits of Using the Welsh Language in Your Business'.

Tickets for the day, and the networking breakfast can be purchased on Eventbrite here.

Stands cost from £150, which includes a ticket to the networking breakfast. For more details, and to book your stand at the Newport event, contact Kate on 07908 353 029 or email newport@spotlight.wales. View the brochure for potential exhibitors