The head of Ward Hadaway's banking and finance team, Julie Harrison, pictured, will give a talk today at the law firm's Money, Money, Money seminar.

The event, chaired by the head of Business Link North East, Paul Callaghan, will give a no-nonsense guide on how to secure financial backing for growing businesses.

Other speakers will include Gerard Murray, finance director of Darlington van hire company Northgate, Neville Bearpark, corporate finance partner at unw, and Simon Lenney, area corporate director at Barclays.

Ms Harrison said: "Getting hold of the right kind of funding - and making best use of it - is one of the biggest challenges for any growing business.

"This event will give companies the true picture on debt funding - from what kind of products are available and how to approach a funder to what it will cost you as a business."