The Chamber's core membership comprises some of the UK's biggest brands such as Baxter's Food Group, Walkers Shortbread, Gordon and MacPhail, Johnston's of Elgin, Diageo and the Edrington Group.

It now wants to widen its appeal to include much smaller businesses.

The new marketing and events manager Lesley Ann Parker said: "The chamber is all about pulling business together across sectors and scale and I feel that there is no greater opportunity to do this than in Moray, enabling the smallest of businesses to learn and interact with their peers. An increased membership would not only make the group more representative but strengthen its influence."

The annual corporate dinner will be held in September when the Moray Chamber will present its award for outstanding contribution to the Moray economy.

Moray Chamber of Commerce can be contacted on 01340 881226.