THE Chief Executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, Andrew Ratcliff, said: "The American tragedy has touched Bolton and Bury's business community deeply on both a commercial and personal level and created a great deal of uncertainty, gloom and pessimism.

"The travel business and its supply chain has been the first to feel the immediate effects and many more businesses are playing a waiting game to see how the global economy shakes out and how retaliatory action may affect oil prices and supply.

"This is a difficult period of 'wait and see' for local business, but global recession is by no means an eventuality and in the event of an economic downturn, local firms are very resourceful and resilient and plenty have experience of managing through tough times.

"The Chamber is here to help support local firms in any way possible.

"In particular, we can help companies to build local and regional business contacts and to develop their international trade via our powerful assistance and advice network for both new and experienced exporters."