A FIERCE campaign is underway to halt the brain drain of Manchester's young professionals tempted by the ''fat pay packets and bright lights'' of London.

It is one of the greatest challenges facing north-west business, says Robin Brocklehurst, chairman of lobby group pro.Manchester.

He spoke as the organisation, which has 150 member firms, announced research findings which show London still claims ''more than its rightful share of the national cake.''

Mr Brocklehurst, managing director property consultants Dunlop Heywood, says: ''The fat pay packets and bright lights of London are an irresistible combination for the brighter graduates. The problem is not just restricted to the professions. It applies also to commerce and industry. Our objectives are realistic, but we are in no doubt as to the scale of the task that faces us.''

Pro.Manchester is working with organisations such as the CBI and Institute of Directors to try to reverse the trend. A post-graduate diploma is being devised for Manchester Business School, while a scheme may be introduced to encourage students to spend their holidays working with professional firms in the city.

Some graduates are staying in the north or returning to the region after ''realising that the pursuit of riches alone is not fulfilling'' but it is necessary to attract more of them.

''Professionals can get more hands-on experience in the north west, more recognition for their work and build a stronger reputation quicker than in the south east,'' says Mr Brocklehurst.

''Manchester is widely recognised on the world stage. It comes in the top 10 of European cities in relation to external transport links, cost of staff, availability and value for money of office space and ease of access to markets.''

The survey involved 1,800 firms in Manchester and Birmingham and desktop research in Edinburgh and Leeds.

In Manchester, 64,000 people are employed in accountancy, architecture, banking, insurance, law, management consultancy, property, stockbroking and venture capital. They make up 25 per cent of the city's workforce and constitute one of the fastest growing areas of the economy.

Fifty-four per cent of city firms have increased staff numbers in the past year and 59 per cent expect to recruit in the next 12 months. By 2010, they expect to have 50 per cent more employees than they have today.

Overall, 85 per cent of firms rate their prospects for the next five years as good or excellent. The report says: ''Manchester's high-profile attempts to secure international and national sporting events have fostered a positive image.

Manchester has a confident and successful professional sector capable of handling complex deals on an international scale. More than 40 per cent of their work comes from outside the city.

The average deal is for £153m and the value of activity between January and September this year was £16.53bn compared with £14.38bn during the corresponding period in 1999. Between 1993 and 1999, deals totalling more than £96bn were completed. The average fee income per firm is £9.3m.

Mr Brocklehurst says firms want to increase their market share of business.

''The objective of pro.Manchester is to spearhead a drive aimed at claiming for the north of England its rightful slice of the national cake, and begin to redress an historic imbalance between the north and south.

''We are realists. We recognise the magnetic power of London, propped up and protected by such factors as the reluctance to delegate powers and imposed finanical thresholds, which have always been established and which continue to keep many projects beyond the reach of the provinces.

''Clients will be forced to gravitate towards the providers of money.''

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