A business support scheme which has already helped hundreds of companies across the Highlands and Islands is looking for new applicants.

That's the message from development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as it completes a month-long direct mail campaign to raise awareness of its Innovation Support programme.

Innovation Manager at HIE Pat Macleod said: "Most good ideas are based on simple principles but many are never developed further because people are convinced there are too many hurdles to overcome. That's where we can help.

"At HIE we have been working to encourage people to come forward and actively develop their business ideas. Our innovation advisers have extensive experience of dealing with new product development and the service is completely confidential which is important when you are dealing with new products that could be copied or stolen."

Innovation Support aims to encourage businesses to improve their competitiveness, profitability and performance through adopting new products and ideas.

Last year alone, over 200 businesses who contacted the innovation support team were assisted.

The programme has helped many more businesses over the years to enhance or develop products and services. These have ranged from a violin maker who received support and advice about how to produce instruments more efficiently to a brewery which was helped to develop a range of bottled beers.

Pat Macleod said: "The Innovation Support Programme is there to offer advice and assistance to businesses throughout the Highlands and Islands, regardless of size. We hope more businesses take this opportunity to use the programme, as it could help improve efficiency and profitability, expand into new markets, or find a solution for a particular problem."

Further details about Innovation Support are available from local enterprise companies or Pat MacLeod at HIE on telephone 01463 244343 Information is also available in the Growing Businesses section of the HIE website - www.hie.co.uk.