KENT women seeking new horizons in the world of business are being urged to attend a series of specially organised free seminars.

Business Link, with funding from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), has arranged the four free events for local women to meet others who have succeeded in setting up their own company.

The Enterprising Women lunches - being held in Folkestone and in Gillingham on Wednesday, November 1, Ramsgate on Wednesday, November 8, and in Tonbridge on Tuesday, November 14 - will offer practical help and advice from a leading bank and impartial experts in the field.

Other organisations that can help those wanting to start their own business will also be represented and Job Centre Plus will be on hand to advise on how becoming self-employed could make those attending better off.

Sue Welch, enterprise co-ordinator at Business Link, said: "Many women will have considered changing their life and trying something new in the world of work – but may well have been too daunted at the prospect to examine the possibility further.

"The Enterprising Women events are specifically designed to allow women to see how working for themselves could be a viable – and profitable – option and to help them make their dreams of self-employment a reality.

"Any woman who has ever considered setting up on her own should come along to one of these free events and find out how to make it happen."

Julie Kapsalis, head of operations, SEEDA added: "We have a commitment to have 10,000 more women-owned businesses in the South East in the next five years.

"This is an ambitious goal which reflects our belief that the appetite for enterprise among women is vast. The new Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for the South East will be launched on Tuesday, October 31 and displays our belief that women-owned businesses will greatly improve the economic prosperity of the region."

The enterprising women events last from 10am until 2pm (except Gillingham – 10am until 2.30pm). Assistance towards childcare and travel is available.