Fund to support new business ideas opens

The scheme provides one-to-one business advice and funding to entrepreneurs

Start-ups and freelancers looking to set up or upscale their business can apply for help from a £1.6m government pot.

The Cumbria Accelerator programme is available for entrepreneurs across the Westmorland and Furness area.

They can apply for £500 - which does not have to be paid back - from the council-administered fund to help start their business.

Qualifying businesses also receive one-to-one mentoring from experts with knowledge of the challenges of building a business in the area, the local authority added.

Paul Foster, head of programmes at Enterprising Cumbria which delivers the scheme, said it could help anyone thinking of becoming self-employed.

"Running a business can be extremely rewarding, but it's important to take external advice and support to make sure you are accessing everything you can," he said.