SMALL businesses in Devon are being encouraged to work together to help them grow, prosper and beat the recession.

That's the aim of a new scheme called the Growth Club Programme, part funded by Devon County Council and led by a partnership of Employment and Skills Boards.

The scheme offers small and micro businesses the opportunity to learn from and support other business owners in their locality, making use of £500 of training and business support for the subsidised price of £150.

The programme will bring together eight like-minded business people from a local area to take part in regular Action Learning sessions.

Sessions are driven by the challenges and issues each member is facing, such as winning new business, redundancies, market changes or individual problems.

Each member will be supported to get to the heart of their issue, working with the group to agree actions which they commit to before the next meeting.

Sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart, which enables enough time for new approaches to be reflected upon or trialled and then for experiences to be shared and challenged in groups.

Members will be guided through the process by a skilled Action Learning facilitator, who will also provide individual coaching, mentoring and support as part of the programme offer.

Cllr Will Mumford, cabinet member for economy and enterprise and employment, said: "Small businesses are such a major part of the Devon economy, it's right we should be offering them this kind of specialist support and advice.

"I would certainly encourage people who work in this sector to get in touch to meet and work with others in their community.

"This could provide an excellent networking opportunity as well as helping to provide solutions to work related issues."

Project manager Gill Bishop said: "The programme can help you plan and make changes to improve your business, make your staff more motivated and effective, save money and improve your bottom line and build professional relationships with like-minded people from your local area."

Newly appointed master facilitator Jan Spencer said: "Our team of action learning facilitators are really looking forward to meeting everyone and working with our new set members.

"We have all seen in our work the real difference that action learning can make to the success of a small business.

"It also enables business owners to feel part of a supportive network that can make life that bit easier, especially when facing the challenges of running and growing a business in today's tough economic climate."

The programme is now open for applications and will be running throughout the year.