BUDDING business starters in Darlington can get advice and help at a major event this month.

Darlington Business Venture is hosting the event, which encourages people with ideas about setting up businesses to get advice before they start.

More middle-aged people are deciding to set up their own businesses, and they will be targeted during the event.

Key businesses and organisations, including Darlington Borough Council, the Princes Trust, BiB Insurance, The Northern Echo, Business Link, Viewpoint and Pro-active Communications will be on hand to offer advice and help to business starters.

Seminars will be held through the day, including Getting Started in Business, hosted by Darlington Business Venture, and a seminar on financial incentives by the council.

The annual event will incorporate new seminars this year with specifically women in mind.

Darlington Women into the Business Network will run a one-hour seminar exclusively for women thinking of starting a business, with advice on how to juggle a family and business commitments.

There will also be a host of entrepreneurs on the Darlington Business Venture stand through the day to chat with people about their experiences of starting and running their own businesses.

Hilary Dunne, of Darlington Business Venture, said: "More and more people are thinking about setting up their own businesses. We are finding that more people in their fifties are interested in doing it, and particularly more women, who might want the flexibility of being able to work from home if they are looking after children.

"But the exhibition is open to anyone who has maybe had an idea about starting a business. We want them to get advice before they take the first steps. It doesn't matter if they are planning to start the business now or in ten years' time."

The event, sponsored by Darlington council and UK Steel Enterprise, is on Saturday, October 19, at Carmel Technology College, Darlington.

For details call Darlington Business Venture on (01325) 289610.