A MENTORING scheme will be on offer for the first time at Yorkshire Business Market this year.

A team of business mentors will be offering one-to-one sessions to support people who have launched a new business in the last year, or are planning to do so soon.

The programme is the latest announcement in the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce's drive to support start-up businesses at Yorkshire Business Market, which takes place at Pavilions of Harrogate on Monday, April 27.

They have already introduced a new Start-Up Zone, where new businesses in their first year of trading can book a micro-stand.

Brian Dunsby, chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce which organises the event, said: "New businesses make a significant difference to the Yorkshire economy and we are keen to do all we can to support them and ensure they are successful.

"By combining the mentoring sessions with our new Start-Up Zone stands, we are offering new businesses the chance to make significant steps forward in just one day, by meeting hundreds of business owners and getting tailor-made advice from expert mentors."