A talk titled 'The Benefits of Employing Psychopaths in your Business' by a former Met police detective will kick off a Norfolk market town's new business network group.

The not-for-profit Wymondham Business Network (WBN) is to be launched at the town's Ayton House with a presentation by Steve Gaskin, a former detective who now works in management training and as a consultant for crime dramas including the BBC's Silent Witness.

WBN has been set up as the result of a partnership between former South Norfolk market towns co-ordinator Lisa Vincent and wymondhamstuff.co.uk co-editor Keith Whitmore.

Ms Vincent said WBN was independent from any council, political party or other business association and would host events including monthly breakfast meetings for businesspeople to network, learn and discover new opportunities.

She said: 'Following my time working with businesses across four of our rural market towns, I understand some of the wider issues that many of them are facing. Other towns have successful business forums, to act as a voice for the local business community and as a place to network and share knowledge.'

Ms Vincent said Wymondham has been, until now, the only one of south Norfolk's four market towns without a regular networking meeting for businesses, although it had the highest population.

She said Wymondham businesses faced huge challenges over the next 10 years as the population was set to double but footfall in the town centre was declining.

Ms Vincent said: 'Businesses will be able to tackle future issues better, if they work together. This is hopefully the start to making that happen in a more structured and efficient way.'

She said Mr Gaskin's talk would be about: 'Understanding the psychological make up of your employees and why that is important for your business, rather than criminal psychopaths.'

Mr Whitmore said he hoped the network would be well supported by the town's business people.

He said: 'We're trying to do something really positive for the town.

'At the moment there's not many places for people to come along and share ideas without any obligation or large up-front cost.

'Wymondham Business Network will be unashamedly business-focussed and relentlessly positive.

'We're giving our time freely to this and we really hope it will be a worthwhile exercise.'

WBN's launch will take place on Tuesday, July 4 from 7.30am to 9am featuring Mr Gaskin's talk. Tickets are £12 or £10 for members, from billetto.co.uk, search for Wymondham Business Network. For more information search for Wymondham Business Network on Facebook or email wymondhambusinessnetwork@gmail.com