Top business brains from across North West Hampshire flocked to Andover's theatre today.

The Lights staged the second Business Expo. From local authorities to solicitors, websites to charities, gyms to banks - the theatre was packed with local companies showcasing exactly what they do.

The Expo was launched last year, the town's first for over 20 years, and the aim has been to inform people about what Andover has to offer and give these businesses a boost during a tough time.

Pearls of wisdom were delivered by BBC Apprentice star Karren Brady, with a seminar on how to make it in the business world.

Gill Edinburgh is from North Hampshire Enterprise who sponsored her appearance: "She was excellent, really inspirational, the members that I've spoken to have been really pleased. They engaged with her speech, lots of ideas as to how to manage your business, how to manage your people, particularly in difficult times, and lots of good funny stories as well!"

The afternoon saw the movers and shakers from local companies and agencies like the Chamber of Commerce and Test Valley Borough Council discussing what the future holds for North West Hampshire's economy.

David Gleave is the head of economic development for the Test Valley: "Andover's got a lot to celebrate, we've got major housing development coming - those new consumers will support facilities like the Lights, like the cinema, like additional shopping.

"We've got major employment coming on the west side of town, with the Co-Op's 900 jobs, part of 2,500 jobs in total on that site. A new Travelodge on Theatre Plaza, there's lots going on. Andover really is a fast growing town."

Ed Thomas from TWA organised the event and says for the companies with stands, there's likely to be a positive impact: "We spoke to quite a few of the exhibitors from last year, and they made a lot of new connections and got quite a lot of new business out of being at the Expo.

"More than half re-booked. We've got very few small businesses actually, it's mostly small companies from Andover."

Andover based IT company Networking Fundamentals was one of the companies setting out its stall today, and Darren Crannis from there says they've all been looking for clever ways to attract people in to see them: "Today, we've got Mario Kart on the Wii - it's a really exciting game to draw people in to the stand and have a bit of fun.

"There's then a couple of minutes while they're bashing their way around the track that we can talk to them. It's all about generating new leads, speaking to people and celebrating Andover's business growth.

"This is the second year this year and we're probably going to attract 500 people, so it'll be great to meet new, thriving businesses."

Carol Bizone from letting agents Martin and Co says they're already seeing the benefits of being at the event: "I had a landlord sign up by about 9.40 this morning, so it's been a great start.

"At the end of the day, it's about getting my name out there, but if I can get some new business out of it that's a plus! Great time for lettings though, there's some good quality tenants out there so the more business we can get going at the moment, the better."

Martin Upton from MJ Visual had a stand for the second time and explains why they wanted to get involved: "We do it primarily for awareness building, we've been in the industry quite a long time and we've got some really good established customers in this neck of the woods and last year was really successful for us here.

"It was fantastic to get a contact with a very large company based locally, who as a result of seeing us ended up installing three new training rooms with us, so excellent business!"

Scroll down for photographs from the day:

Andover Sound's new car makes an appearance...

The guys from iCandy Design try to attract people to their stall

Andover Sound's Ben McGrail speaks to Jill Edinburgh from North Hampshire Enterprise

The Hawk Conservancy Trust were telling people about the work they do

The team from Energie Fitness were handing out bottles of water to thirsty business people

Ben McGrail had a go on the Wii at Networking Fundamental's stand