Service Network has teamed up with The North East European Information Centre to offer its members a free grant-finding service.

The Durham centre's Grantfinder service is a database of UK and EU funding, including grants, loans, subsidies, venture capital funds and other incentives.

Tracey Bransby, executive director of Sunderland's Service Network, said: "In the past, there has been grant funding available for North-East companies if they knew where to look, but often the funds were poorly promoted, leaving companies financing initiatives themselves when they could have benefited from significant assistance.

For details, call (0191) 515 3344.