A journalist who has broken some of the biggest business stories in the south will formally open the region's most comprehensive business library this week.

The Southern Daily Echo's business editor Mike Ford, who retires this year, will officially launch the Southampton Business Information Centre at the Central Reference Library tomorrow.

The centre offers a range of services at low or no cost.

They include online company searches, credit and payment history reports, investment information and legal and official publications, as well as trade journals. All income is ploughed back into the service.

Business information clinics, where qualified library staff guide clients through available resources, are also on offer. The library offers free Internet access and a cache of useful business websites.

The centre works closely with the nearby European Information Centre, and a wealth of data on business and tender opportunities across the EU, and Partenariat - the largest business matchmaker system in Europe - are also available.

The service has already been well received by the business community.

Nick Gibbons, financial director of Southampton-based Sparkford Chemicals, is already a client, and uses the service mainly for credit searches.

He said: "Even if you opt for the basic package, the Southampton Business Information Centre provides a much cheaper service than its competitors.

The service is quick and efficient and information is available in a number of formats.

Assistant city librarian David Baldwin looks forward to welcoming Mike.

He said: "It is fitting that someone who has been a key source of business information in the region for some years is launching what we are sure will be a valued service. We wish him well in his retirement."