PRISONERS looking to get into business ventures of the legal kind will be given a helping hand thanks to a programme launched in the region.

The scheme aims to provide prisoners with the necessary skills to set up their own businesses after their release, and County Durham was chosen for its launch.

Prisons boss Martin Narey made the trip to Darlington to give the service's backing to the new project, inspired by an award-winning scheme being run at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institute in Barnard Castle.

The 30-hour business skills programme, which is set to be an option for inmates across the country, gives prisoners the chance to identify a strong idea for their own business and produce a business plan.

Part of the package will be available in prisons across the country from today, and courses will be offered in Darlington for staff wishing to become trainers.

Director General of the Prison Service Mr Narey said the scheme would be another step toward the service's aim of reducing crime.

Mr Narey, who started his career at Deerbolt, said: "Helping prisoners gain worthwhile employment after they leave prison is the most important thing the prison service can do to help stop crime.

"This new programme will hopefully improve the service's relations with outside bodies, because it's time the prison service started getting more involved with organisations like the business community.