A NORTH Hampshire agency that helped develop bright ideas into successful businesses has disbanded.

Colin Close, who is the chief executive of BANDEC (the Basingstoke and Andover Enterprise Centre), stood down after 20 years as the agency suffered dwindling funds.

But the helpline for small businesses still has a presence in Basingstoke and Andover as its role has been taken over by the Blackwater Valley Enterprise, headed by chief executive John Mitchell.

Mr Close, whose wife Jean also worked with BANDEC, said in a letter: "As a direct result of being declared unsuitable to even bid for the latest business Link Wessex offerings, I regret that BANDEC has ceased to operate.

"In 'stepping aside' to achieve economies, I hope I have facilitated the maintenance of some form of local delivery of uncluttered and honest advisory services.

"I should like to express my very deep gratitude for the many friendships I have enjoyed since arriving at what was then BANDEC in 1985. Our development over the years is due in no small way to the sponsor-ship, and support of many business people and the friendships that have resulted."

One of the entrepreneurs who went to BANDEC for advice was Dr Alan Montgomery when he set up Integral Solutions after a management buyout.

Integral Solutions developed the award-winning data mining software Clementine and, after selling out in a multi-million-pound deal, Dr Montgomery showed his apprec-iation to BANDEC by presenting the agency with a cheque for £10,000.

Another of the businesses to seek advice was Honeysuckle Interiors back in 1988, which is still successfully running from its base in the village of Oakley.

BANDEC was born in spare accommodation at Wiggins Teape and even worked out of a converted public convenience in Basingstoke! Since 1997 it has been based in the Business Support Centre at Basingstoke council's Civic Offices, where staff David Lewis and Sheila Pickett have been retained by the Blackwater Valley Enterprise.

Business and civic leaders celebrated the 15th anniversary of BANDEC in 1998 with a party, at which Mr Close was described as a "remarkable man" and an "honest broker" in his work with start-up ventures.

At that stage, Mr Close estimated the agency had held more than 15,000 interviews, from which some three-quarters resulted in new businesses being started.

Mr Mitchell said: "January is by far our busiest month for enquiries, and, having expanded our geographical area recently, clients can now visit us in Aldershot, Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Camberley, Farnham and Fleet."

He added: "We hope to expand the service in Basingstoke as it is our largest town in the Blackwater Valley Enterprise. It's a great place to do business and we need to go on a fact-finding mission.

"There's a lot of development and it's a good place to start and grow a business." Since its inception in 1981, the Blackwater Valley Enterprise advisers have met with more than 18,000 clients and provided free advice on all aspects of running a business - from the business plan to sales, marketing, finance and legal considerations.

The enterprise also gives advice to established small businesses and has a business network specifically aimed at local businesses.

The advisory service is free as the Black-water Valley Enterprise is funded by local authorities, Business Link and some 50 private sponsors.

It is headquartered in Aldershot and has Investors in People status.