A NEW business start-up course is now under way in Blackburn and Darwen - with would-be entrepreneurs being supported by Bootstrap Enterprises.

The free course runs two days a week over eight weeks and covers all aspects of starting a business, including confidential one-to-one business advice sessions.

The initiative is part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's GET SET business start-up package.

One of the trainees is graduate Daniel Russell, who is planning to set up an up-market chauffeuring business.

"With the financial grants available and the support of the business advisors, I am much more confident that my business will succeed," he said.

Betty Dunn is hoping to start a business making individually designed mosaics.

"The staff at Bootstrap Enterprises were so helpful I decided to come to the training," she said. "I just did not have the confidence - you lose it when you spend all your time at home.

"Doing this course has changed that and I have a lot more confidence now."

Anyone interested in joining the next course should contact Lynn at Bootstrap on 01254 680367.