A TEAM of business experts have joined forces to help entrepreneurs in the region.

The Enterprise Group is made of up of private sector specialists who offer tailor-made services to people with business ideas taking them to the start-up stage and beyond.

The group has been formed in response to research, which shows the North-East is lagging behind in entrepreneurship.

The County Durham-based group is made up of accountants, marketeers, public relations experts, business development managers, Internet developers and niche business start-up specialists.

Led and driven by international business development company Action for Employment (A4e), the group plans to cut through red tape to increase start-up rates in the region.

Co-ordinator Mick Wood said: "Sometimes the long process of planning a business launch can seep that explosive energy away and we want to make sure that anyone with an idea will be given the chance to take advantage of the help and advice of people with genuine business experience."

For information contact the Enterprise Group Start-up Centre on 0191 - 377 9888.