STAFF at Nelson and Colne College have got their hands on more than £350,000 in Eurocash to help turn crafts into cottage industries.

They intend to use the money to give budding semi-rural entrepreneurs the ability to find their way through the business maze.

Said assistant principal Stuart Evans: "This new project is designed to help local people develop a range of small business enterprises and we are hoping to attract ideas with a semi-rural flavour - for example, the small scale manufacture of cheese, biscuits, beer, jam, or knitwear - anything in fact which does not require vast amounts of capital outlay.

"The money will be used to provide relevant training, sheltered workspace, on-going mentorship and help with the costs of trials of innovative products.

"Hopefully, this support will put local entrepreneurs in a strong position when it comes to demonstrating to banks or local training and enterprise councils that they have a workable idea with commercial viability.

"We already have a range of private sector supporters lined up to help us, including Sainsbury and Asda."

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