A programme to give women a helping hand in the workplace is to be launched in Blackburn later this month. The Springboard Women's Development Programme is run by Judy Hinds, who believes the iniative will help empower them to take more direction in their lives.

A taster session will be held at the Women's Resource Centre, Regent Street, Blackburn, on Saturday, between 10am and noon.

Judy said: "At a business level, the programme was developed in response to corporate demand in the face of changing culture and values in the workplace.

"It is not just about gender, but also working conditions as there are now more part-time, job-share and short-term working. It gives gives women the opportunity to communicate more effectively and be more pro-active."