A PIONEERING business support group is celebrating its tenth birthday this week.

Bootstrap Enterprises was launched in Blackburn to provide advice, training and support to people setting up and running small businesses.

Since moving to its current base on the Boulevard, provided by Whitbread plc, it has expanded its range of services.

Courses are now run on business start-up, returning to work, access to careers in care, training for childminders, catering businesses and women returners. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including Blackburn Council, Blackburn City Challenge, Blackburn Regeneration Partnership and the European Social Fund.

The group also runs a management training programme aimed at voluntary organisations in the Blackburn and Burnley areas.

The anniversary event on Friday afternoon will include presentations of certificates to recent students on courses.

Janet Bradbury of Blackburn City Challenge and Peter Watkins of Whitbread in the Community will be presenting the certificates.

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