More than 130 people from local businesses across Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey attended an evening masterclass in Elgin last night (Thursday), presented by top motivational speaker and former Olympic coach, Frank Dick OBE.

Mr Dick, who has inspired and motivated the likes of Daley Thompson and Boris Becker, was brought to the area by Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, as part of its ongoing commitment to providing information and skills to local business owners and managers.

The aim of the workshop, the second in a series of masterclasses, was to inspire energy and enthusiasm and stimulate local business people to be more innovative, and successful, in their business practices.  Demand for the event was such that all spaces were booked up within days of the event being advertised and a second event has been arranged for 29th January in the town's Mansion House Hotel. In addition to the extra date, Mr Dick will also be delivering a one-off presentation to students at Keith Grammar school on the same day so they too can benefit from his inspirational ideas.

MSBE chief executive, Douglas Yule, said:  "We are absolutely delighted at the tremendous response we've had from the local business community to these masterclasses.  All seats have been taken at both events and everyone seems to have been encouraged and inspired by them.  It's been a great boost having people like Frank Dick, and Steve McDermott before him, coming to the area and we have every intention of continuing beyond the January 29th event by running more masterclasses in the months ahead."