ENTREPRENEURS can gain a major boost from a package of support that is aiming to assist hundreds of new start-ups in Worcestershire during the next year.

Business Link West Mid-lands, which offers a single access point for all business, skills and manufacturing support, has put together a carefully tailored offer that includes support from a specialist business adviser, access to private sector consultants and grants towards the cost of their assistance.

It is also looking to tap into its established enterprise provider network, featuring such groups as the Prince's Trust, Women's Business Develop-ment Agency and Tribal's Creative Launchpad.

Heidi Macdougall, sector manager for High Growth Support at Business Link West Midlands, said: "Worcester-shire has a strong enterprising culture and we want to build on this by encouraging more entrepreneurs.

"We are talking about businesses with the potential to achieve annual turnover of £200k within the first two years of trading.

"This is the group that many believe will contribute significantly to the future of the UK economy and be responsible for creating wealth and jobs."

Business Link West Midlands is looking to assist more than 340 entrepreneurs across the West Midlands over the next 12 months by giving them access to the right level of expertise that is going to help start and drive their business forward.

People accessing the high-growth support will be appointed a specialist adviser, who will be available as a sounding board, coach and connector to external expertise for the first 18 months of trading and longer if needed.

They will complete a detailed review of the business plan - worth £1,000 in the marketplace - that will identify the strengths and weaknesses and develop an action plan for growth.