FUTURE business creators across Vale of White Horse are being given free business advice and a chance to win £25,000 in a new scheme.

Spark Vale has been created to support people who are considering starting a business, or those who are in business but need help to progress.

A series of free business support seminars is taking place across the Vale until November, beginning with a finance and funding workshop on June 11.

Experts will give people taking part the know-how, skills and tools to help develop a business model.

As well as the seminars, there will be a Spark Vale Business Idea competition in September, with a prize fund of £25,000.

It will have three award categories: best business growth idea, best new business idea under 25s and best new business idea over 25s.

Vale of White Horse District Council leader Matthew Barber said the aim was to help generate jobs, encourage entrepreneurs and boost the local economy.

He added: “The initiative provides local entrepreneurs with a range of business support options; including a dedicated website packed with facts sheets, downloadable business tools and training videos, programme of business workshops and one to one business coaching.”

For more information, see sparkvale.co.uk