A SUMMER school could lead to a permanent escape from the daily grind for hopeful entrepreneurs across County Durham.

This year, a week-long summer school is being planned by The Enterprise Group for people who dream of working for themselves.

Mick Wood, of the Enterprise Group, said: "If you're a brickie but you know that, with the right help, you could be a successful builder in your own right, then you are the type of person we are trying to help.

"We are aware that for a lot of people in work, simply being able to get access to the help and support they need to explore their potential is limited - precisely because they are working during the week."

Planning for the summer school is now under way. It will include interactive sessions, featuring expert speakers and one-to-one advice on a range of key business start-up skills.

The summer school will not be a one-off event, and graduates who decide to make their business dreams into reality will be offered a six-month follow-up package of support from the experts at the Enterprise Group, including solicitors, accountants, IT experts, marketing people and experienced business developers.

The Enterprise Group, which launched more than a year ago to improve the private sector business start-up support in County Durham, is based at Tursdale, near Bowburn, off the A1.

It is inviting people to sign up for the summer school.

Anyone interested can call 0191-377-9888.