A ONE-OFF course aimed at helping small businesses grow has been developed in partnership with University College Worcester.

The BIG Programme - Business Innovation and Growth - is the result of a link between UCW and Warwick Business School.

Although the course usually costs more than £3,000, free taster sessions have been organised for Hereford on Wednesday, January 15, and Bromsgrove on Thursday, January 16.

They are targeted at owners and managers of small and medium-sized business and will feature short workshops.

The evenings will be hosted by Hereford-based John Banks, and Stephen Brookson, of Warwick Business School.

"If you are running a local business and you have ambitions for growth, this is a brilliant opportunity to work with a leading business school to develop the skills and the strategy you will need," said Mr Brookson.

"The taster session is an informal opportunity to meet some of the team and to find out, without commitment, what it is all about."

Call Alison Simpson at UCW on 01905 855279 or email her at a.simpson@ worc.ac.uk for more details.