A BUSINESS advice exhibition has been praised for giving a helping hand to people either running or starting up their own business.

More than 30 organisations were represented under one roof at the event, which was held at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.

Damian Scott, who set up Kendal-based design and advertising agency Cactus Creative with business partner Andy Smith six months ago, visited a number of exhibition stands.

"In the next six months we hope to take people on.

I came here partly to get some advice on what help is available on employment law," explained Mr Scott.

He was also able to update Business Link officials on how his business has progressed since receiving a marketing grant to help fund a website.

The partners, who previously worked for an agency in Lytham St Anne's, have won contracts from a number of companies outside the area, and they are keen to do more work locally.

Gazette cartoonist Colin Shelbourn, who runs post card and map business Cardtoons Publications with co-director Robin Sadler, was a first-time visitor to the exhibition.

He said: "It's a good chance to find out what kind of business assistance is available.

It's not just the obvious things like banks and accountants.

Particularly for smaller businesses, you can find out about employment advice when taking people on."

Cardtoons makes the fun and informative Lap Maps, which sell up to 40,000 a year, and humorous postcards designed by Mr Shelbourn.

The business recently launched a website featuring its full range of products.

Customers will soon be able to place orders on-line.

The exhibition was sponsored by Barclays Bank, Enterprise Cumbria, Business Link, South Lakeland District Council, Kendal College and The Westmorland Gazette.

Organisations taking stands ranged from the Inland Revenue, to the Federation of Small Businesses and Cumbria Trading Standards.

Principal trading standards officer John Whittaker said he had been highlighting the department's free advice service for traders wanting to know their legal rights.

"Most traders are happy to comply with the law, but they have to know what it is," he said.

Coun Noel Spendlove, chairman of SLDC's economic development committee, said the event was a good chance for the council and other organisations to talk directly to business people.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins praised the exhibition, saying: "It's a chance for a lot of groups to come together and offer advice.

It's very important there should be more opportunities of this kind than there perhaps have been in the past for business people to come together to seek advice and have their views understood and represented," he added.