An evening masterclass for local businesses, which will take place in Elgin on January 16th, has been fully booked within days of being advertised.

Demand for the event has been such that its organisers, Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE), has laid on a second event on Wednesday 29th January at the Mansion House Hotel in Elgin, and will be getting in touch with delegates to confirm which one they should attend.

The events are the second in a series of masterclasses, being run for local businesses across the area by the enterprise company, which is part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network.

The presenter is former Olympic coach and now renowned motivational speaker, Frank Dick.  The class, entitled 'Coaching away the winter blues - Strategies for Success', will aim to inspire energy and enthusiasm and stimulate local business people to be more innovative, and successful, in their business practices.

In addition to the extra date, Mr Dick is also expected to do a one-off presentation to students at Keith Grammar school on 29th January in order that they too can benefit from his inspirational ideas.

MSBE chief executive, Douglas Yule, said the masterclasses form part of an ongoing commitment to providing information and skills to local business owners and managers.

He added:  "The feedback we received after the Aviemore event in September, featuring Steve McDermott, was tremendous, so while I'm delighted at the response to this one, I'm not at all surprised.  Frank Dick is widely renowned as one of the top motivational speakers around today, and it's great that more than 300 local business people from every business sector in the Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey are will be able to benefit from the energy and enthusiasm that has inspired the likes of Daley Thompson in the past.

"I am also very pleased that youngsters from Keith will hear what Frank has to say and it is something we would hope to replicate with other secondary schools in our area when we hold more masterclasses throughout the spring and summer."