Inventors and businesses in Caithness and Sutherland who have developed innovative products or ideas but who are unsure how to capitalise on them are being offered a helping hand.

That is the message to local businesses from innovation experts who will visit the Pentland Hotel in Thurso next Wednesday (23 February) to help businesses get their new ideas off the ground.

The evening seminar has been organised jointly by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to outline the wide range of advice, guidance and financial assistance available through the innovation support programme, to help businesses turn their ideas into reality.

HIE's innovation support manager Pat MacLeod said: "For a whole host of reasons many good ideas never achieve commercial success. These reasons can include the perceived risks involved in financing the project or the fear of ideas being stolen or copied.

"This seminar will help overcome these fears, giving local businesses the opportunity to discuss the development of their ideas - and to learn more about the confidential advice and support that we offer."

This support can include calling in specialist consultants to examine a company's ideas or production processes, making suggestions on possible improvements. This can help cut businesses costs and boost productivity.

The Highlands and Islands as a whole has a good track record in innovation. Each year around 200 projects receive HIE support of some kind through a variety of programmes.

Next week's seminar will also target banks, accountants and financial advisors who can help highlight to local businesses the support schemes available through the HIE network.

The seminar will be held at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Wednesday, 23 February between 6.30 and 8.00pm. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Sandra McCaughey on 01847 896115.