STREET entertainers will help to spread the message that self-employment is an option for everyone.

Three Start-Up Saturday events, organised by Business Link, will give people the chance to have an informal chat to advisors about starting a business.

Business Link's mobile office will be in Durham's Market Place on Saturdays - today and June 16 and 30 - between 11 am and 3pm. Other advisors will be based in The Gates shopping centre and near to the Prince Bishop's shopping centre.

To provide entertainment, there will be stilt walkers, face painters and a competition that offers the chance to win an iPod or digital camera.

Six businesses are taking part in a Find the Facts competition and will display a plaque with a fact about their business.

The competition winners will be drawn from people who registered with an advisor before collecting all six facts. Everyone who takes part will win a goody bag.

"We want to encourage people to realise that starting their own business is a real option," said organiser Julie Richards.