A workshop which adds magic to business support has been heralded a success by firms in the North-East.

Launched earlier this year by the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) the Marketing Magic workshop is designed to equip budding entrepreneurs and SMEs with innovative marketing skills and techniques.

Response has been excellent, with more than 350 people attending to date.

The BIC team has also visited several businesses across the region to deliver the workshop.

Marketing Magic is the brainchild of BIC marketing services manager Paul Finch, a self-confessed magic fanatic, who presents the course using his marketing expertise and sleight of hand. Paul said: "The workshop has proved to be very popular and covers a range of areas including sales letters, press releases and direct mail.

"Love it or hate it, magic has the power to change the way we think and learn.

"Likewise innovative marketing tools and techniques can alter the way a business operates and the rate at which it grows."

Thanks to the ongoing success of Marketing Magic, the BIC has launched a training course, Website Magic, to help SMEs develop successful website strategies.

Paul said: "The course covers a range of topics, including: building and updating a website, search engine optimisation and pay per click advertising."

Jason Houlston from 3K Design, co-presenter of Website Magic, said: "Investing in a new website is one of the best decisions an SME can make. However, just having a website is not enough.

"An effective web presence is key to success. It should be up to date, user friendly, contain a range of information relevant to customers and, most importantly, add value to the business. Website Magic covers all these and more."