Dozens of Wiltshire organisations are benefiting from a new way of helping them develop their leadership and management capabilities thanks to extra Government cash.

To date, more than 40 Wiltshire small businesses have qualified for the scheme, which was set up by Business Link as part of the Organisational Leadership and Management Project launched in the county.

They will now get free professional advice from experts in business improvement through training based on the results of the scheme, as well as the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £800.

This funding will pay for training and activities that will benefit leaders, managers and senior teams with the aim of developing the organisation, as well as improving the bottom line.

The organisational leadership and management project, led in Wiltshire by Business Link, has been launched with funding from the regional Learning and Skills Council and the South West Regional Development Agency.

It will run until April 2007, providing a real investment opportunity for small business throughout the county.

Organisations with between 10 and 249 employees are eligible for the scheme, and it is hoped that more than 500 local businesses will be encouraged to make a real change in their business performance through their involvement.

The underlying principles of the project are to stimulate more organisations to raise the standard of their leadership and management development, and to make a step-change in attitudes towards suchdevelopment.

Sarah Wearing, leadership and management project manager in Wiltshire, said: "The project is a great opportunity for Wiltshire businesses and has been received enthusiastically so far.

"I am keen to hear from companies with 10 to 249 employees that want to develop their senior staff and management teams so that we can ensure they receive this investment in their business.

"Our aim is to help companies in the area to develop through training and professional advice, giving managers of all levels the tools they need to lead the organisation, and its people, to success."