The inaugural Bassett Means Business expo aiming to connect smaller local businesses is launching tomorrow.

More than 40 local exhibitors will fill the hall at Bowman House, Royal Wootton Bassett, to give smaller companies the chance to network, get their products and services out there, and hear a free business seminar.

The Expo is an attempt to give the smaller businesses more room to manoeuvre without the commercial pressures of other shows, like the South West Expo, held in the Steam Museum in July.

Graeme Stephenson, commercial operations manager at Bowman House, told the Adver: "I've always attended the Expo in Swindon, but I've also done networking at a lower level. There's always been that void between the two.

"A lot of complaints we get from smaller businesses is, 'people just don't know about us'. But there's no better way than telling other businesses about your business."

Another impetus behind the launch is to get companies in Bassett connected with the wider world after road works at junction 16 disrupted traffic flowing into the town, lasting for nine months.

"It's a good opportunity to get Bassett businesses back on the map," added Graeme.

"We've got a quaint little building and hopefully we'll get the same atmosphere as a large one to showcase the quality of local businesses here.

"There is a high failure rate from start ups - a lot fail because of lack of information.

"This is about talking to like-minded businesses and learning from their past mistakes.

"It's about giving them access points, we're not come here to make money. This is just a chance to give people a platform."

Bassett Means Business will be at the Bowman House Business Centre, Whitehill lane, Royal Wootton Bassett.

It opens at 9am and finishes at 1pm on Thursday.