Business start-ups have been showcased in a publication by Durham Business School.

Called Gleaming Bright Businesses, it profiles leading young entrepreneurs in the region who have made use of the business school's Gleam programme.

The programme - Graduates Learning of Entrepreneurship Accelerated through Mentoring - was launched in 1997 and has generated 114 graduate businesses in the region and created 159 jobs.

The launch of the publication coincided with the Gleaming Bright Businesses programme for graduates.

The three-month programme provides a one-day entrepreneurship workshop, looking at the role of mentorship in venture creation.

Graduates are given start-up business support and one-day a month on placement with a Gleam business owner and mentor.

Wendy Parvin, project manager, said: "Geaming Bright Businesses is designed to fast-track North-East graduates into business start-up.

"It will draw on the expertise and talent within the Gleam enterprise community to support aspiring students and graduates who want to experience the world of business and start their own enterprise in the region."

For more information about Gleam, or for a copy of the Gleaming Bright Businesses publication, contact Keith Herrmann on 0191-334 5728.