THE Wessex Rural Business Network is being launched next week.

The network is being formed to help rural businesses increase their awareness of, and access to, business advice and support.

It aims to help them tackle the issues and challenges that face smaller rural-based businesses.

Members of rural business clubs, such as the south Wiltshire one, are being invited to the launch next Thursday at Bowood Golf & Country Club, near Chippenham.

The speakers at the 12.30pm to 2pm event are Sally Rackard of South West Regional Development Agency, Lord Lansdowne, of Bowood, and Phil Newton, of Free2Learn and Business Link Berkshire & Wiltshire.