A SERIES of courses are being run to help smaller businesses in County Durham.

Free training is available covering health and safety, employment law, VAT, data protection, stress management, telephone sales, marketing on a shoestring and finance.

They will be held at the North-East Chamber of Commerce HQ at Aykley Heads Business Centre, Durham, and Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street, running from February 24 to March 31.

Booking forms are available on 0191-386 1133.