The Evening Press will play its part in a campaign to offer free advice and support to businesses in the Selby area.

Theresa Lee, the newspaper's display manager, links up with Caroline Wakefield, of Synergy Advertising Ltd, of Wetherby, to tell businesses how they can get the best from local and regional media.

They will be keynote speakers at a free Use It Or Lose It evening hosted by Selby District Council in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council at the Sherburn Library and Information Services building at Finkle Hill, Sherburn-in-Elmet, on Tuesday, October 18.

Other experts will be on hand to work alongside business bosses to enable them to access free training, develop new business plans, review marketing strategies, be signposted to relevant grants or funding, link up with local specialists or simply to network with other business bosses.

Eileen Scothern, Selby District Council's principal economic development officer, said the event was being held at Sherburn because, with the development of Sherburn Business Park, it was one of the district's key employment areas. Firms from across the Selby area are welcome to attend.

She said: "Having spoken to businesses to see what they want from such events, I'm sure the session will be a great help to many companies."

The Use It Or Lose It sessions were devised to encourage people to use business support available in the Selby district, rather than go elsewhere.

Its sponsors are Tadcaster Grammar School, Selby District Council, the Community Education Service, North Yorkshire Library and Information Services, Tadcaster Chamber of Commerce, Selby Business Advice Centre and inward investment organisation york-england.com.

Anyone who wants to book their free place in advance should fax Christine Beever on 01757 292090 or email her at cbeever@selby.gov.uk

Updated: 10:55 Monday, October 10, 2005