The Enterprise Group has helped create more than 250 jobs in the region since it was launched earlier this year.

The group has supported the start-up of more than 125 companies across County Durham, boosting the county's economy by nearly £20m a year.

The Enterprise Group is made up of private sector specialists offering services to people with business ideas.

Mick Wood, of The Enterprise Group, said: "There is clearly a market for our no-nonsense approach to business start-up. We like to hit the ground running by tapping into that magic moment where an individual, partnership or group get that business buzz."