A NEW scheme has given expert free advice to 23 Greater Manchester companies in its first year.

The Business & Ecology Demonstration Project helps businesses improve their competitive edge by focussing on environmental improvement.

It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, The BOC Foundation, the Environment Agency and the Co-operative Bank.

The scheme was established by the National Centre for Business & Ecology, a joint initiative between the Co-operative Bank and the four universities in Greater Manchester.

Free advice is available to companies with a turnover under £32 million or balance sheet below £21 million.

They must also employ fewer than 250 staff and be fully independent.

The project runs until September 1998 and covers most of central Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Stalybridge, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan.

Co-ordinator Ann Whitehead said: "The purpose of the project is to enable small businesses in Greater Manchester region to improve their competitive performance and reduce their impact on the environment by drawing on the expertise available within the universities.

"There are still 20 places available for companies who want to benefit from this free advice."

The telephone number is 0161-295-5276.

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