Greater Manchester businesses affected by Covid-19 will be offered free support to build their online presence.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has partnered with The Hut Group's Ingenuity division to launch Greater Manchester Digital Drive, which provides businesses with free access to "off the shelf tools" to help them improve digitally.

The service offers them the chance to diversify in the current climate and test whether an online presence will help to drive more business and awareness.

Cllr Sean Fielding, GMCA lead for employment, skills and digital, said: "The Greater Manchester Digital Drive supports the regions ambitions, outlined in our Greater Manchester Digital Blueprint, to digitally enable all businesses and empower and enable people and businesses through innovation, integration, infrastructure, industry and inclusion – to ensure that no-one is left behind.

"It’s great to see this offer added to existing support, to ensure our businesses feel supported."