Put together by disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Barclays Bank, the £3 million scheme is called 'Ready to Start'. It'll kick off in London, then spread nationwide to 27 UK cities by the end of 2007.

Project spokeswoman Linda Holland said:

"Currently approximately half of disabled people of working age are not in employment in the UK, compared with 22% of non-disabled people of working age.

"For a large number of disabled people, setting up their own business is often the only viable option in order to achieve both economic independence and a flexible working environment."