A NEW service has been launched in Burnley to give small businesses a 'professional gloss' that would normally be beyond their means.

The Integrated Office is a new concept for business people on the move or those just starting on their own.

The virtual office, operated by Anvic at Northbridge House on the Elm Street Business Park, gives small firms all the professionalism of larger companies without the expense of paying office staff.

Telephone calls can be taken at Northbridge House where professional receptionists transfer callers to home numbers, mobile phones or voice mail boxes.

Small businesses can use the Northbridge Business Centre address for telephone, e-mail and fax. Conference and meeting rooms are also available along with a range of secretarial services.

Paul Dawson, Anvic managing director, said the virtual, office allowed allowed small businesses to present themselves professionally without the stress and expense associated with staff and technology.

"This service is ideal for people on the move, working from home, businesses starting up and those rapidly expanding," he said. "Clients get the impression of the user having an office with staff."

One of the first small businesses to use the service is Visual Echo Limited. Janet Windley explained: "We are only a small company, just two of us working from home.

"We were always aware of noises in the background - our dogs might bark, our children were likely to be loud or even answer the phone.

"Having someone else to take our calls in a professional manner gave our business more credibility and cost less than actually recruiting someone.

"We would find it difficult to take on another member of staff - we do not have the room and quite frankly we do not want the hassle as an employer."