MORE than a thousand visitors from across the globe are descending on Manchester today as the Co-operative Movement kicks off its annual conference.

Co-operative Congress is the annual meeting of Co-operativesUK, the organisation which represents co-operative enterprises.

The 134-year-old event, held in a different city each year, attracts visitors from as far afield as Kenya, Slovakia and Iceland.

Taking place at New Century Hall and the Co-operative complex, in Manchester, from today until Sunday, the event is designed to showcase the latest developments and initiatives to emerge from the '17bn co-operative sector.

Major co-operative businesses include Manchester-based Co-operative Group, the largest consumer-owned business in the world and Stoke-based United Co-op.

The co-operative sector also includes credit unions, housing co-ops and employee-owned worker co-ops.

Guest speakers will include Salford MP and junior health minister Hazel Blears, Pam Warhurst, chair of the Countryside Agency and Education Minister Charles Clarke.

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