EVERYONE needs a guardian angel, even businesses. The hunt is on to find senior East Lancashire business people to pass on their experience and expertise to local firms as part of the Guardian Angel entrepreneurs network.

Around 15 "angels" already operate in East Lancashire, helping up-and-coming businesses overcome early hurdles or helping to point longer-established firms in a new direction or take the next step on the road to success.

Organisers have launched a new drive to encourage more business mentors to come forward.

Scheme manager Amanda Meachin said: "A Guardian Angel will more than likely be a retired or semi-retired managing director or senior or middle manager from a large company who has time to help other businesses.

"We appraise the company, assess its needs and then marry it up with the mentor who has experienced what it is going through and can help."

The ELTEC-funded service is free and mentors work voluntarily.

"They give their time, which can vary from a few hours a month to several hours a week, freely," said Amanda, who is based at Blackburn Technology Management Centre. "The amount of time mentors spend at a business is at the discretion of the two parties.

"Mentors only advise and put forward options. Any decisions remain with the company. Advice is offered without opinions. The aim is to lend businesses a hand and support them.

"We've had instances where mentors have been so impressed with a business they have invested in them and become a non-executive director."

In return guardian angels get satisfaction from helping other entrepreneurs starting out in business.

"Quite often semi-retired or retired business people find themselves at a loose end after being heavily involved in running a company for a long time," explained Amanda. "A lot want to give something back. They feel they still have something to offer and don't simply want to be put out to pasture."

Any business person interested in becoming a mentor, or company wanting to take advantage of the scheme, can contact Amanda on 01254 699910.