Sutton is looking to become a hub of environmentally friendly businesses.

At last weeks Creating a Green Economy Event at the Civic Offices, the borough's world renowned green organisations spoke about Sutton's credentials.

The day was opened by Councillor Ruth Dombey, leader of Sutton council, who told an audience of business leaders, education providers and politicians: "We are ready to capitalise on our strategic position in London, our first class schools and our enviable infrastructure. We are open for business and ready to build on our existing sustainability credentials to become a magnet for Green enterprise."

The event featured presentations from Sue Riddlestone, co-founder of BioRegional, and Steve Turner, head of carbon economy at the Commission of the New Economy in Manchester.

BioRegional helped to initiate the BedZED environmentally-friendly 82-house development in Hackbridge whose residents use considerably less electricity and water than the average UK household.

Sue Riddlestone then told the audience: "The Green economy presents unrivalled business opportunities."

Leader of Sutton Council Ruth Dombey, told the meeting: "We are an ambitious authority who understand the potential for councils to help create new jobs.

We are working with our partners to help create better conditions for growth especially for those who produce Green goods, deliver Green services and invest in sustainable business practices."

As part of One Planet Sutton, a plan to make the borough more sustainable, Sutton Council joined up with BioRegional in 2009.

Steve Turner, head of carbon economy at the Commission of the New Economy in Manchester, talked about how Manchester built its green economy.

He told the audience: "We worked very closely with colleges and businesses to understand firstly what skills were needed and then how to provide the right training."

"The UK is very poor at enabling business to work with the research sector so for us it was key to bring our two major universities and small and medium-sized businesses together."

The event built on the Opportunity Sutton investment conference event in June this year which brought together entrepreneurs and business leaders who heard Business Secretary Vince Cable enthusiastically back plans to make Sutton a Green hub for business.