A NEW mobile unit is taking to the roads of County Durham offering doorstep advice and support to businesses.

The investment by Business Link County Durham follows research showing people were not willing to travel far to receive such help.

"County Durham is predominantly rural and only 32pc of businesses are based in the Durham City and Chester-le-Street areas," said Mike Hutton, unit manager. "The rest are almost equally spread around the other five districts.

"Teesdale makes up 38pc of the geographical area of the county, but has only 13pc of the businesses, so a mobile unit is ideally suited to the county."

Carol Groombridge, communications manager, said they originally considered opening an office in a retail centre: "But our research was showing that businesses would prefer not to travel far to access business support.

"We felt we needed to address this and go out to people in their own areas, particularly in rural pockets such as Teesdale."

The unit's first port of call was to Enterprise House in Barnard Castle on Thursday of last week.

The fully equipped and staffed unit will become a familiar sight at country shows, farmers' markets, business events and on industrial estates.

Designed to be informal and accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, the facilities include a small suite of computers linked to the internet, seating for up to six people and equipment for presentations.

It is expected to benefit other business support agencies as well. from enterprise agencies, local authorities and the Learning and Skills Council to universities and colleges, business clubs and the chamber of commerce.

It will also be pressed into service for organised training sessions at individual companies and at events.

The unit is the first of its kind in the region and visits to Wear Valley, East Durham, Sedgefield Borough, Consett and Chester-le-Street are planned over the next few weeks. For dates and venues, contact Mike Hutton on 0191 374 4000.