A Shropshire sole-trader is hosting a public relations course to help other small businesses promote themselves and compete with national brand names in the local media.

Rhea Alton, of Journalism and PR based at Roden, will host the morning course at the Greenhous Stadium in Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, on April 27 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

The aim of the course is to enable sole-traders and small business staff to use PR skills to their advantage and boost business using the local media.

Mrs Alton said: "National and large local companies regularly use PR to spread the word about their business but smaller companies cannot afford o employ a full time PR consultant.

"Journalism and PR provides freelance PR services for sole-traders and small businesses when they need it but there are simple PR techniques which businesses can do themselves if they just know how.

"This course aims to give people the skills they need to boost their business in Shropshire and beyond. I hope it will help dozens of businesses across the county."

The course covers how PR can benefit you, recognising a news story, writing press releases, the use of photographs and using local news to your advantage.

It costs £30.00 per person, including refreshments, and places can be booked by contacting Jane Shaw on jane@jsbusinessadmin.co.uk or 07967 191243. For more information on Journalism and PR visit www.jandpr.com