More than three-quarters of the supporters of enterprise agency Erewash Partnership think that the organisation is doing a good job, according to an on-line survey.

Asked if they thought that the Partnership lived up to expectations when they joined, 42 per cent agreed that it did, and 34 per cent strongly agreed  -  a positive response by 76 per cent.

Seventy-nine per cent of respondents thought the Partnership was good value for money, and 72 felt that the staff were knowledgeable and had the expertise to help their business.

More than 83 per cent said they would recommend other people to join the Partnership, which helps regenerate the borough.

Around one-third of the 400 businesses and other organisations that make up the private, public and voluntary sector partnership took part in the survey which was carried out in the busy two weeks before Christmas.

Although it was anonymous, quite a few of those who responded also chose to give additional positive feedback about the Partnership, the way it helps business develop, the expertise of the staff, and its popular networking events.

One said: "When I set up my business last year EP membership was my first outlay - and probably the best value!"

Partnership chief executive Ian Viles said: "I am delighted at the positive feedback from people, particularly as they took the time to answer questions in what is probably the busiest period of the year.

"It is gratifying that so many people appreciate the hard work that the organisation and its staff do, particularly in these challenging times. But we are not complacent and hope that our ratings will go even higher."

The survey was carried out by Partnership associate Jonathan Mann of market research company my-central.com of Nottingham.