BUSINESSES are calling for urgent action after Cardiff Chamber of Commerce went into liquidation.

The chamber, which provided training, advice and support to around 1,400 Cardiff firms, went into liquidation after it could not pay off old debts.

Now, it is understood that one idea being considered is the possible merger of the Cardiff, Newport and Swansea chambers.

The 140-year-old chamber was in debt to the Assembly Government after it was paid money by the former learning and skills council ELWa, which it was not entitled to.

The chamber has been working with the Welsh Assembly Government, which took over the ELWa, since 2004 to pay the money back.

Efforts to find funding for the chamber by deferring repayments fell through after the Assembly Government was told the move would be considered to be contravening European state aid law.

Representatives of Newport, Swansea and Cardiff are due to meet today to discuss what action can be taken to assist business in the area.