MOBILE advice clinics will be on hand at two of the region's agricultural shows next month for anyone thinking of setting up a new business in a rural area.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has teamed up with Business Link County Durham to offer the free advice sessions.

A mobile resource centre, with meeting room and internet access, will visit Wolsingham and Eggleston shows to discuss support for entrepreneurs and farmers.

Ken Haynes, an advisor for Defra, said: "Encouraging and supporting rural businesses is a key part of our work and one of the key schemes to assist farmers and others is the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), which offers grant support to a range of projects."

Advice sessions will be held at Wolsingham Show on Saturday, September 3, and at Eggleston Show on Saturday, September 17. For details or to book an appointment, call 0191-229 5454.