BUDDING entrepreneurs in Rossendale are getting a helping hand from a team dedicated to aiding people to start their own businesses.

Sue Clark has been appointed to head the project, Kingfisher's Start-Up 4 Business, which aims to provide tailor-made support and advice.

Sue, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said: "We are dedicated to ensuring start-up businesses in Rossendale get the best possible advice.

"We have a team of advisers and the combined services of Kingfisher consultants to call upon, which means access to financial, legal, marketing and IT advice, which is a tremendous resource."

Sue's team will run free regular weekly advisory sessions, when people can drop in. Each month, Start-Up 4 Business will run a free two-day workshop looking at all aspects of running a business, from tax and self assessment to creating a market, pricing and financial forecasting.

Flexible one-to-one sessions, which won't necessarily operate within strict office hours, will also be available to anyone seeking advice.

Sue said: "No two people and no two businesses are exactly alike so I take the view that there is not one solution which will fit everyone.

"That's why the one-to-one sessions will be tailor-made to individual needs."

She added: "We are determined to make Rossendale 'the' place in Lancashire to come and set up a business.

"We will be delivering Business Link advice and working closely with organisations like Rossendale Borough Council to assist new businesses to start and grow." Sue worked at the Co-op's HQ in Manchester as the Human Resources operational manager for 17 years before establishing her own business consultancy three years ago.

She has wide experience taking in work with start-ups, marketing, finance and training.

The first advisory session is due to take place on Thursday, October 9 and the first Start-Up 4 Business workshops will be held on Tuesday, October 21. Anyone thinking of starting up a business should contact Sue on 01706 606000.