NEW businesses are being offered a software package aimed at helping them start up and succeed.

Clearlystart-up, a CD-Rom from Clearlybusiness, a Barclays company, launched the package last month.

Featuring presentations from entrepreneurs Richard Noble, world land speed record breaker, and Simon Woodroffe, founder of Yo! Sushi, it is designed to guide would-be entrepreneurs through the critical aspects of starting and running their own business.

Presented in a jargon-free format, it contains information on four important business areas finance, planning, operations and marketing.

Each area contains articles, tools and checklists, and a directory of contacts.

Small and medium sized enterprises account for 99 per cent of UK business and yet 10-15 per cent fail within the first year and 30-35 per cent fail in the first three years. Clearlystart-up is designed to help small businesses get it right the first time.

"This is the first time a high street bank has developed such a comprehensive product for start-up businesses," said Alan Gleeson, product manager of Clearlystart-up.

"When someone decides they're going to start a new business such as a shop, what excites them is finding a location and sourcing the products they are going to sell. "Clearlystart-up is the tool they need to make sure that they cover all other issues, such as understanding employees' rights, and get their business off to the best start possible."

Barclays' research shows that 91,200 new businesses started trading in England and Wales during the last quarter of 2002, a rise of 11per cent on the same period in 2001.