Four housing associations have banded together to promote the enterprise culture in some of the norths most deprived districts.

The idea is to use self-employment as a way of bringing jobs and new hope to parts of Manchester where this is not traditionally considered an option said Tahira Hussain, of the Tung Sing housing association.

Existing businesses are also eligible for advice and support from the Business Plus project a partnership between Tung Sing, Places for People, Mosscare and Arawak Walton.

Backed by £163,500 of government cash, the ultimate goal is to set up a community-based business incubator in the area, giving budding entrepreneurs the chance to put their ideas into practice.

This is a groundbreaking project, says Tahira. We are looking at people at the very, very basic stage. Maybe someone who is making potted jam in the kitchen for her family and friends and who never thought they could develop it into a sustainable business plan.

With more than 5,000 tenants on their books and hundreds of existing small businesses in the four districts, the housing associations behind Business Plus expect the demand to be brisk.

We are already helping a number of smaller, existing businesses, says Sophy Hallam, a business consultant with parternshipWTP, who is working with Business Plus. But we hope to reach out to those who may never have thought that going in to business was for them.

Later this month Business Plus will be taking its show on the road, with awareness-raising sessions in community venues in Cheetham Hill, Longsight, Moss Side and Hulme.

Business Basics training courses an introduction to running your own business will be held throughout February and March in these areas.

Evelyn Rimmer, project manager at Places for People, said: "In many of these communities, self-employment is traditionally not considered as an option. Business Plus addresses this by demonstrating that running your own business is possible and can also play a vital part in the local economy.

Its not just those taking part who benefit; whole communities can benefit from new and existing businesses providing these areas with products and services tailored to local needs.

Business Plus will increase businesses start-ups in these areas and help more of them to survive."

For further details of the free courses contact either Tahira Hussain on 0800 783 5450, or 0161 234 0260 or Sophy Hallam 07967 14423.