IT is more important than ever that in times of financial gloom, businesses have somewhere to turn for advice and support.

For Hull and the East Riding, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is tasked with encouraging economic growth and providing that help.

The organisation is investing more than £110m in support services and funds for the region.

Yorkshire Forward is a partner in the Mail's Bounce Back campaign, which aims to unite the region on the road to financial recovery.

As part of the campaign, the Mail is highlighting the work being done by the agency in helping the area.

The main point of access for publicly funded support from Yorkshire Forward is through Business Link Yorkshire.

Re-launched in 2007 as a single service for the region, Yorkshire Forward invests £30m in it every year.

Advisors can help businesses understand what kind of support they need to help start up or grow their ventures, and then put them in touch with the relevant providers in their area.

Support can range from advice on starting up a new business, to improving the efficiency of existing processes, accessing new sources of finance or new markets, developing new products or training staff.

Among the businesses benefiting from the help provided by Yorkshire Forward is Hull-based caravan manufacturer, Normandy Holiday Homes.

With the caravan industry having been badly hit by the recession, Normandy Holiday Homes managing director Gary Cooper saw an opportunity to diversify into different markets through the construction of high quality wooden clad lodges.

The company was turned down for funding by a high street bank, which not only put the expansion plans under threat, but the survival of the company, which employs 30 people at Bontoft Avenue, west Hull.

But Mr Cooper turned to Business Link adviser Alan Clegg, who suggested a loan from Partnership Investment Finance (PIF), a loan scheme put in place by the European Union, Yorkshire Forward and private funding, specifically aimed at supporting companies turned down by high street lenders.

Within two weeks of starting the process a £100,000 loan was arranged and in Normandy's bank.

Mr Cooper said: "I can't speak highly enough of the Business Link help.

"Accessing the finance was crucial to the business's survival since the static caravan manufacturing sector is, quite literally, on the floor.

"The speed at which the funding was in place has saved jobs and means we can develop the wooden clad lodge side of our UK sales, which is where the future for our business is."

Another firm to benefit from the agency's help is Seafood specialist Regal Fish Supplies.

The company is continuing to flourish, despite the economic downturn, and is working with Business Link Yorkshire to promote its thriving home delivery service to a wider range of customers across the UK.

When Mike Brummitt joined the firm as general manager in 2001, he knew what changes he needed to make and Business Link adviser Cath Holmes helped him present his case to the directors.

He said: "Because of Business Link's help, the company is in a healthier position to face whatever the economy throws at us.

"We created a mission statement so that everyone working for Regal Fish knew the values of the business and we looked at training and succession planning.

"Business Link helped forge that process and Cath suggested we take our vision one step further by applying for Investors in People status, which we were successful in achieving."

The firm now employs 105 people, with 35 staff at its call centre in Barton-upon-Humber, and 17 delivery vans taking orders from Grimsby to customers across the UK, from Newcastle and North Wales to the Midlands and the South coast.

Mr Brummitt said: "I see Business Link as a very useful resource for businesses but it's only as useful as you make it and it's important to take on board the information given and do something with it.

"I'm willing to try different approaches and I truly believe that any business that isn't open to new ideas will not succeed in the long term."

For more information about Business Link Yorkshire call 08456 048048 or visit www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk