CREATIVE industry bosses in Cumbria are being offered the chance to sharpen their business acumen through a new countywide initiative.

The Cumbria Cultural Skills Partnership is targeting creative industries, which are seen as a future growth area for the county's economy.

Businesses ranging from designers, photographers and artists to film and media outfits and craftspeople will be offered help and support to ultimately expand their operations.

Co-ordinator Peter Davies (pictured) said the partner-ship would be working with businesses to assess their training needs and then put together training courses, either for individuals or groups of firms operating in similar fields. Most firms being targeted were micro-businesses, employing fewer than ten workers, who needed to improve their business skills, particularly in marketing and sales, he said.

The newly-formed partner-ship, which is funded by Arts Council England, Cumbria County Council and the county's Learning and Skills Council, can give training bursaries to cover 50 per cent of training costs.

Mr Davies, from Burton-in-Kendal, has taught at further and higher education level and also worked as an artist and photo-grapher. He has also worked in the business and community enterprise unit based at St Martin's College in Lancaster, Ambleside and Carlisle.

For more details about the partnership, contact Mr Davies on 07821-271431 or email: peter.ccsp@virgin.net .