BUSINESS Link North-East (BLNE) has moved closer towards delivering its goals for providing business support across the region, after investing in staff training.

From its creation earlier this year, BLNE pledged to boost the region's economy by supporting entrepreneurs in the North-East.

The organisation is working with staff to complete training courses in Small Firms Enterprise Development Inititative (SFEDI) and Insititute of Leadership Management (ILM).

Alastair MacColl, chief executive of BLNE, said: "We want to create the best business support network in the best region of the UK and deliver relevant, effective business support.

"With this work now complete we're well on our way to achieving our ambitious goals."

The organisation, based in Seaham, County Durham, is backed by £35m of annual funding, and intends to work with more than 36,000 clients and support at least 4,000 business start-ups every year.