ASPIRING business people considering setting up their own enterprise have been encouraged to attend an awareness event - and have the chance to win £500.

The Gala Theatre, in Durham City, will be the high point of a series of Enterprise Awareness events sponsored by Business Link, which are being held throughout County Durham this month and November.

The events are designed to help those people who are considering staring their own business, or those who have recently started in business.

The enterprise event is free to visitors and will feature guest speakers, a start-up exhibition where visitors can discuss their business needs with experts, and some interesting case studies examining how other people have fared in getting their businesses started.

To encourage people to attend, organisers CDC Enterprise Agency and Teesdale Enterprise Agency, are offering a £500 prize to the best-planned new business.

The award will be given in addition to any grants and business assistance which may be available.

The Gala Theatre event will be a rolling programme, beginning at 10.30am and running through to 5pm.

To reserve a place contact Norma Johnson on 0191-374 4000.