The Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside is to receive a £500,000 funding boost.

The award is part of a £15m fund announced by the government which will be shared between the ten regional chambers over the next three years.

The additional funding will be used locally to:

l Help develop regional strategies, including an 'intelligence network' for the area's economy

l Increase the chamber's role as the voice of the region

l Further involve the people and organisations of the region in the group's work.

Chamber chairman Pat Doyle said: "The regional chamber is now a major player in Yorkshire and Humber. This funding will help us to ensure that the needs of the region are fully understood by local and national decision makers. It will also help us work with Yorkshire Forward to generate the most effective economic development for the area."

The government introduced voluntary regional chambers, made up of Council members and representatives from business and community groups, in 1999.