A FORMER winner of television’s The Apprentice is to host a free advice and networking event for small businesses in the North-East.

Michelle Dewberry will host the regional O2 X Awards event at the O2 Academy, in Newcastle, on June 18.

The event is open to all small businesses and will feature a panel of guest speakers, including experts from O2’s small business team, who will give advice and answer financial queries.

The event will open at 5.30pm and will also give businesses the chance to find out more about this year’s O2 X Awards, for which entries close on August 1, and what entering could do for their business.

Following the guest speakers, there will be a chance for guests to network.

To book a place, register at o2.co.uk/xawards