A PROGRAMME of free workshops and one-to-one advice to help women in the Tonbridge and Swale areas start their own businesses is being launched by Business Link Kent.

The workshops run for three weeks -- at the Ramada Jarvis in Pembury and the Alexander Centre, Faversham -- one day a week during school hours. The workshops will be followed by up to 10 free tutorials under Business Link's StartUpKent programme.

A networking event for the new women entrepreneurs will be held on March 8, International Women's Day, at the Maidstone Hilton Hotel, when they will have the opportunity to meet with other women who have attended the programme previously and are now running successful businesses.

To register for the programme, which starts on February 10 in the Swale area and February 11 in the Tonbridge area, contact Community Prosperity on 07812 584371.