AN unusual new networking organisation in York is more than pedalling a novel idea - it's positively cycle sprinting.

After just nine months since the formation of the York chapter of Business Network International (BNI) membership has grown to 25, triggering the need to move its regular Friday early morning breakfast sessions from the Gateway to York Hotel at Kexby, to bigger - or dare it be said? - fitter premises.

What could be more conducive to fitness than the new, vast Livingwell Health Centre at Nether Poppleton?

It means that those who pay their nominal £6 for a full breakfast and leads-searching work-in can trim down afterwards with a workout!

Steve Twynham, the Chapter director said: "When we started we had no idea that we would grow at such a rate as to need to move to a bigger facility so soon.

"We now have a number of extra people queuing to join up and we needed the room to accommodate them."

BNI, which already operates throughout North America, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia allows only one person per profession or occupation to join a chapter to avoid conflict with opposition when passing on or receiving mutual leads.

Clearly, in the case of the York chapter the scheme has worked. Since its launch more than 1,000 leads have passed between members and these include some of the best-known business personalities in the city.

They include Terry Doyle from Clive Owen & Co, Graeme Burn from Burn & Co, David Cook from Pentagon Financial Services, Adam Fowle from thewebsitedesigners, Nick Eggleton from Acute Marketing and Fiona Sidwell from Exclusive Events - all, incidentally, entrants in the 2001 Evening Press Business of the Year awards.

Mr Twynham said: "Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you because all the other members carry several copies of your business cards around with them.

"When they meet someone new who could use your products or service, they hand your card out and recommend you.

"It's as simple as that - and based on the proven concept that what goes around comes around."

It's what is called getting leaner and fitter on the cycle of success...

Updated: 12:58 Tuesday, January 22, 2002