Small businesses are being offered the chance to move into fully furnished offices.

Ten offices have been created by Teesdale Development Company at Enterprise House on Harmire Park, Barnard Castle.

The units, complete with computers and high speed Internet access via the Teesdale broadband system, are all available to rent.

They have been built under the Market Towns Initiative project, with funding from the development company, Teesdale District Council and regional development agency One NorthEast.

Geoff Simpson, the company chairman, said yesterday: "The offices are designed to nurture business innovation, ideas and growth."

They range from 115 to 220sq ft but have been designed so that walls can be easily removed to create larger units if are needed.

Mr Simpson said: "Our highly competitive terms include all heating, utilities, reception staff, broadband access, call handling, cleaning and maintenance.

"We want our tenants to have access to the resources and support more typically associated with high cost city centre locations."

Anyone interested in the offices can visit Enterprise House or call customer services manager Julia Dye, on (01833) 631251.