BUSINESSES found out about the help and support available to them at an open event yesterday.

Back Up North, Sunderland Action Team for Jobs and Job Linkage held the one-day Business in Mind event for employers at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland.

Representatives from more than 20 organisations, including Acas, Business Link Tyne and Wear, the European Information Centre, the Health and Safety Executive and the Inland Revenue, were on hand to offer advice.

The event was opened by John Marshall, chairman of Durham Pine.

Paul Baker, project manager for Back Up North, said: "This was a unique opportunity for businesses across the city of Sunderland to find out exactly what help and support was available and more importantly, how they could access it.