A chief reporter jailed as part of the hacking storm that engulfed the News of World is cashing-in on his notoriety by sharing his thoughts on its meltdown.

Neville Thurlbeck spent 37 days in prison, along with his former editor Andy Coulson, after being given a six-month sentence for his role in phone hacking at the paper.

Mr Thurlbeck is now set to tell businesses how to avoid media crisis during a talk on his tabloid career at an expo at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

He says: "I was at the epicentre of the reputational meltdown at News International.

"After emerging through the other side, I'd like to give businessmen and women the benefit of my first hand experience of what went wrong.

"And a route map to avoid crisis and business catastrophe."

Thurlbeck, who is now a PR advisor and preparing to publish his first book Tabloid Secrets, has entitled his talk The News International Crisis: How to Survive Reputational Armageddon.

While working as a journalist he won a host of press awards for world exclusives involving Lord Archer, David Beckham and Robin Cook MP.

As a controversial undercover reporter he also infiltrated gangs to expose drug dealers, gun-runners, corrupt police officers and paedophiles, although his reputation is now in tatters.

He is one of many speakers at the free business networking event which is expected to attract more than 600 businesses on the day.

Andrew Charlton, of Exposure Events, said: "This is our first Expo London South and Neville’s gripping revelations are sure to be a big draw alongside some excellent business advice sessions and seminars.

"Expo London South is a fantastic opportunity for like-minded businesses to mix and generate new partnerships and ultimately new business."

Exhibitors include Emirates, RMS Research, Openawards, Business Scene, Surrey Chamber of Commerce and Costco.

Expo London South; Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs; Wednesday November 26; 10am to 4pm; call 0191 3755733; register for the event at www.expolondon.co.uk