INVESTING in commercial property is the topic under discussion at two breakfast seminars in the south this month.

They are being held jointly by Clydesdale Bank and chartered accountants Haines Watts.

Commercial property agents Hughes Ellard will also be providing commentary on prospects for the local market.

Attendees of the seminars will hear from five experienced professionals who will talk about the opportunities and challenges of buying commercial property, both from the perspective of owner occupier and pension investment.

The first seminar, this Thursday, will be held at The Holiday Inn in Fareham, to be followed by a second seminar at The Marriott Goodwood Park Hotel in Chichester on Wednesday, October 20.

Both seminars start at 8am and finish at 10am.

They will open with Hughes Ellard on property from a local angle covering trends, opportunities and local plans.

Haines Watts will go on to discuss background to new legislation and accounting issues surrounding the budget SIPP rules.

Clydesdale Bank will conclude the breakfast seminar by talking about funding property transactions.

It will be followed by a question and answer session.

John Anderson, managing partner, Clydesdale Bank, Southampton Regional Business Centre, said: "The seminars will give attendees an overview of the current commercial investor market. We'll be looking at the performance and outlook for 2004 of the local property market, how to choose between retail, office or industrial properties as well as the question of stamp duty land tax.

"We hope to provide an insight into many of the issues people should consider when investing in commercial property."