A NORTH-EAST business school programme has been awarded "kite mark" style approval for its services.

Durham Business School was named as an approved centre, which gives firms the reassurance they are dealing with recognised experts when seeking advice.

The accolade came for the innovative Biz-KIT project as part of the Government's Technology Means Business (TMB) scheme.

It is recognition for the school's independent assistance to small businesses looking to fight their way through the high-technology minefield.

TMB approval means that small firms seeking advice about computers and other technology issues can be sure of dealing with top professionals who have consider-able business experience as well as the necessary technical knowledge.

Four individual experts offering IT advice under Biz-KIT already hold personal TMB accreditation.

Now help offered by any advisor under the Biz-KIT banner will automatically meet strict TMB criteria.

About 150 small businesses in the North-East and elsewhere have already sought TMB advice from Biz-KIT on issues ranging from selling products and services over the internet to database management.

"Becoming an approved TMB centre is a considerable feather in our cap, which will allow us to help even more small businesses," said Dean Maragh, of Biz-KIT, who has been overseeing the application.