The owners of a care company launched last month have urged other new businesses to take advantage of a package of support for start-ups.

Up to 45 businesses stand to benefit under an initiative being led by west Suffolk-based enterprise agency Menta in the St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath and Mid Suffolk districts.

Menta chief executive Alex Till said: “From experience, we know that businesses which receive initial advice and support are 60% more likely to grow and prosper.

“We can offer that advice and support through 30 years’ experience of helping Suffolk entrepreneurs tap into markets and get the best from their business.”

To qualify, businesses must have been launched since February 1 this year and the owners must be investing at least £3,000 and be planning to employ staff.

Among the first firms to take advantage of the scheme is Bury-based ClarkeCare which was launched last month by Lorraine Clarke and Simon Curtis and offers a range of specialist home care services.

Miss Clarke said: “If you’ve just started out or thinking about beginning a business I can’t urge you enough to take advantage of this support. Not only is it free but it’s from experts who have ‘been there, done that’.”

The scheme runs until June 1, 2015 or until the 45 places have been allocated across the three council areas. The funding comes from the New Anglia Growth Hub, with firms in east and north Suffolk and Norfolk also able to access help via enterprise agency NWES.