A COUNTY Durham company is helping meet demand for off-site business support by being part of a network of "virtual assistants", or VAs.

Widely accepted in the US, the concept of virtual working is beginning to gain recognition in the UK.

A virtual assistant is neither an employee, nor a temp.

He or she is a new breed of professional who offers all the skills of a corporate PA, offering cost- effective support from a home office.

Most have additional experience in a variety of specialist fields, including public relations, marketing, accountancy, event management and human resources.

A network of virtual assistants has been established to meet the growing demand for off-site business support.

The Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants (AUKVA), run by Di Chapman, Irene Boston and Jo Johnston, offers a central web-site, which is free to access for all businesses at http://www.allianceofukvirtualassistants.org.uk.

Clients can search the directory for a specific skill or a VA in a particular county and can choose from more than 80 individual businesses.

Instead of wasting hours searching the Internet, businesses can match their needs quickly and easily.

Local AUKVA member Marguerite Baldry opened Virtual-e-perfection (VEP) Virtual Assistants Services - for business in February.

VEP offers services ranging from word processing to preparing customised spreadsheets, databases, as well as presentations for the business community.

Mrs Baldry, who lives in Newton Aycliffe, said: "The people of the North-East have great spirit and belief in themselves and continually strive to improve life for themselves, their families and their business.

"Many North-East people are now using the Internet for information, buying goods and services, as well as leisure pursuits.

"Even more take advantage of the new technological breakthroughs to create and support their own business.

"We hope that Virtual-e-perfection will become a valuable support service to other businesswomen and men in the North- East area."