MANY people harbour a dream of running their own successful business and becoming an entrepreneur, but making that dream a reality can be a daunting prospect.

For those who want to take the next step, however, help is available which will not cost a penny.

Start Right In Business is a service that helps people who are thinking about setting up their own business.

By offering easy access to a comprehensive network of information, help and support, the Start Right in Business service is designed to give businesses the best possible start and then provide ongoing support, advice and development within the crucial first 18 months of business life.

It combines the expertise and services of more than 20 leading professional organisations, including accountants, marketers, business advice specialists, IT consultancies, quality management consultants, charitable trusts, enterprise agencies and groups, high street banks, Employment Service and local borough councils.

Start Right in Business has access to all the assistance that a start-up or newly-formed business needs.

Kathy Norwood, the service's manager, said: "Starting a business is, more often than not, a very nerve-wracking time. We aim to ease the burdens that can come with setting up.

"We have access to a huge range of practical advice and guidance that can make a real difference to the future of any new venture - from business advice, capital grants and overdraft facilities to skills development and locating premises and the grants available.

"We have helped over 4,800 businesses to set up and created over 8,000 new jobs. Our aim is to make the Tees Valley the best place in the country to set up a new business."

The service was set up in April 1995. Since then, 310 manufacturing businesses, 930 retail businesses and 3,500 service-based businesses have been created. The survival rate of these new businesses is encouraging too. At 12 weeks after formation it is 97 per cent, after six months it is 91 per cent, after a year 81 per cent.

After 18 months, 74 per cent of businesses are still operating in the Tees Valley, comparing favourably with the national average of 65 per cent.

The service costs nothing to businesses - in fact, since it started more than £10m has gone into the programme to support firms.

Last February, Start Right in Business became one of the range of services offered by Business Link, which is part of the national network of local partnerships between the business community and Government that offers an independent source of advice and support for businesses.

As Kathy Norwood said: "Start Right in Business is all about supporting budding entrepreneurs, creating a climate that offers opportunity to everyone within the Tees Valley. It makes perfect sense therefore for us to now be part of Business Link, which is actively seeking to foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the region."