AN airport's annual business event was worth more than £9m in sales for companies which took part last winter.

Stansted Airport hosted Meet the Buyers for a seventh time last year and will hold it again this November.

The £9m figure meant there was a 95% increase on the previous year's event.

It offers businesses - from small start-ups to large corporations - the chance to do deals with organisations such as National Express, the University of Essex and the airport itself.

In total, since 2011 Meet the Buyers has generated just under £22 million worth of business

Jonathan Oates, corporate affairs director at Stansted, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the London Stansted Meet the Buyers 2017 event has smashed all records and generated nearly £10 million worth of deals for businesses from across the East of England and South East.

"Year after year, this event adds real value to the economy around Stansted by helping local companies win new business and we hope to again set another record at this year’s event on 1 November."

The 2018 event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Stansted, on November 1, 2018.

A number of buyers have already signed up including LPL Construction, University of East London, Cambridgeshire County Council and ISS.

Visit www.stanstedmtb.co.uk.