ENTREPRENEUR Wayne Hemingway has thrown his weight behind a £16.2m programme to help encourage business start-ups in South Tyneside.

Mr Hemingway, who created the fashion label Red or Dead, is supporting the South Tyneside Means Business campaign, which hopes to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to get involved in business.

Mr Hemingway said: "This campaign is really important to all business talent within South Tyneside. There has never been a better time to start and grow a business in the area."