ONE of the region’s most prominent businessmen is heading a drive to encourage enterprise in one of the areas hit hardest by redundancies.

John Elliott, founder of the Ebac water cooling company, is backing an event for unemployed people or those under the threat of redundancy in south Durham.

The four jobcentres in the area have seen a 100 per cent increase in registrations in the past few months, demonstrating how badly the area is being affected.

The South Durham Enterprise Fair, held next Wednesday, will encourage people to think about their skills in order for them to set up a business.

Mr Elliott will launch the event, speaking of his own journey from being an apprentice to setting up his own company in Bishop Auckland, which now employs 350 people.

The event, which takes place at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, is being organised by County Durham Economic Partnership and Jobcentre Plus with support from Be Enterprising, and County Durham’s Enterprise Agencies.

James Walker, enterprise advocate for County Durham Economic Partnership, said: “We are helping people to realise that they have what it takes to run their own successful business.”

It runs from 10am to 3.30pm.

For further information, call 0845-330-6401.