THE marketing boss of one of Bolton's best known car dealerships nearly caused an international row with her enterprising eye for design.

Julie Knight, head of marketing at Smith Knight Fay, landed in the soup with Audi, the makers of the prestige cars her company sells.

And she admits she forgot a golden rule - that logos are one of a company's most hallowed treasures, zealously-guarded intellectual property not to be tampered with or imitated at any cost.

The leading German manufacturer wasn't too happy when Julie made a meal of their most famous feature . . . even if it was all in a good cause! Julie 'modified' Audi's famous interlocking four-ringed symbol into a contemporary motif of overlapping dinner plates on invitations to North-west company bosses for Smith Knight Fay's inaugural business dinner.

It was held to mark the opening of the group's new £1.7 million Bolton Audi Centre.

But last week they relented when Julie's design won the Royal Mail's regional 'Winning Post' award for best mailshot and a place in the national final in London tomorrow.

"As one of the world's major car manufacturers, Audi were quite miffed with what had been done to their logo, " said Julie. "But no harm was intended.

"However, when they discovered we'd won the Royal Mail prize all was forgiven and they loved our idea of an annual business dinner so much, they've told other dealers throughout Britain they can copy it."

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