A series of workshops for budding entrepreneurs is being staged at venues across Leeds.

Organised by Leeds City Council, the sessions are open to anyone thinking of setting up their own business and to people who have just started a business.

The workshops, which kicked off in Morley this week, will take place in a number of areas, including Horsforth and Otley, throughout May, June and July.

They will cover all the basics of starting a business, including help available from the council’s business and patent information service, advice on marketing, how to make tax and book-keeping less painful and support available through the Enterprise Allowance scheme.

Expert advisers from the chamber of commerce, Job Centre Plus, chartered accountants WGN and the Chartered Institute of Marketing will provide practical advice and guidance to help give budding bosses the best possible start. Sessions run from 10.30am to 1.30pm and are all in easily accessible venues.

Workshops will be held at Horsforth Library on Tuesday, May 21 and Otley Community Centre on Wednesday, July 17. There will also be sessions at Moor Allerton Library on June 7, Armley Library on June 17, and Garforth Library on July 4.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for development and economy, said: “Encouraging enterprise plays an important role in growing the local economy and these free workshops represent an ideal way to find out about and tap into the wide range of help and support that’s available to start up businesses.”

To register for a workshop go to bit.ly/YlG9gX.

Further information is also available from Leeds City Council on 0113 247 5745.