LOCAL entrepreneurs can now bring their business dreams to fruition with help from two pioneering organisations.

West Craven Together and Pendle Enterprise Trust Ltd have joined forces to offer advice, guidance and finance to help get the right ideas off the ground.

The West Craven Together project, supported by the Northwest Development Agency, Pendle Borough Council and Barnoldswick Town Council, will help to provide a support programme to existing and start-up businesses, including Start-Up funding for certain applicants.

Pendle Enterprise Trust, which has been helping businesses in the area for the past 25 years, will provide business advice and training.

The executive director for the trust, Kevin Clark, said: "This is a great opportunity for people and businesses with ideas to get additional help and, in some cases, funding for a whole host of possibilities.

"The area has not been lacking when it comes to new business ideas and we have helped quite a number of start-ups over the years."

Project manager for West Craven Together, Hanna Atkinson, added: "We are very excited about this project and working with Pendle Enterprise Trust which has a great reputation for the work it has done in the past.

"The Action Plan highlights a number of direct benefits for local businesses and entrepreneurs with new business ideas."

She added: "There is funding of up to £1,000 available to new start-up businesses which is being delivered by Pendle Enterprise Trust and we are keen to talk to young and old entrepreneurs who have business ideas that may qualify. As we say, there has never been a better time to get together."

For more information on the West Craven Together initiative, contact Pendle Enterprise Trust on 01282 698001 or visit their website, www.trust4business. co.uk.

West Craven Together is a community-led partnership made up of local volunteers and was established to respond to the Government's challenge to revitalise and regenerate market towns throughout the country.