"We are able to help them to see if their ideas are viable and then to guide them through the early stages of setting up in business," said Samantha Pope, who is a business adviser and Women in Enterprise champion at Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES).

"We are trying very hard to encourage women along this route and are holding a series of regular women-only workshops across the region."

The next of these free sessions to be staged is on Tuesday at the NWES offices in Bishops Lynn House on Lynn's Tuesday Market Place

The subject this time will be confidence and assertiveness.

Women who have recently used the NWES courses as a launch pad for their ambitions have set up a courier operation, livery stables, a web-based sales company and a home decorating service.

Chrissy Hope is one of those hoping to use her hobby to make money.

Armed with paintbrushes, overalls and ladders, she is taking the first steps to a new career.

After ten years working in mental health care, she has set up her own decorating and design business, Decorative Dreams.

"I had reached the point where I wanted a complete change of direction and preferably one where I would run my own business," said Ms Hope, who lives at Grimston and is mother to three grown-up children.

"I have always done my own decorating and also some for family and friends and I enjoyed it.

"My partner, Roddy Rowe, who is a joiner, encouraged me to turn it into a business and NWES at Lynn, helped me to set up and gave me the confidence to get up and running."

While she specialises in interior work, Ms Hope is prepared to do some exterior jobs and also has the skills to use decorative art to transform furniture, flower pots and similar products.

"I will do all of the preparation work and I am happy to help and advise customers on their choice of colours and materials," she said.

Places on next week's free course can be booked on 01553 666200.