SUCCESSFUL Bolton businessman David Atherton is to be the opening speaker at a major North-west conference.

The founder of dabs.com at Wingates, Westhoughton will be in the spotlight in Manchester on April 30 during National Small Business Week -- a new attempt to recognise the important part small firms play in the UK economy.

The event at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, is one of six events taking place across the country from April 28 to May 2.

They are being sponsored by Business Links with backing by business organisations including the Institute of Directors and Chambers of Commerce.

Key sponsors include BT, Royal Bank of Scotland, AXA Insurance, American Express and Microsoft.

Organisers Single Market Events say the Manchester conference will celebrate the "contributions and dedication" of more than 356,000 growing businesses in the North-west.

It is planned to make National Small Business Week an annual event.

Mr Atherton's on-line computer retailing company, which now employs about 220 people, has evolved considerably since it was established in 1990 as Dabs Direct and has experienced significant growth in revenue and profitability.

He said today: "National Small Business Week will give local businesses a real boost -- not only are they being recognised for their contribution to the local and national economy, but they will also have the opportunity to get access to some of the best advice available today."

The Manchester day will be chaired by business guru Rene Carayol, a Channel 4 presenter and author of Corporate Voodoo.

Other speakers will include Jeremy Peat, Group Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Seminars will tackle issues such as funding business growth, reducing business risk, running IT systems without tears and best practice for human resource management.

Further information is available from 01923 690 627 or at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.co.uk