I AM the founder of the Bankruptcy Association, which I set up 18 years ago to help people with serious debt problems.

Many have run into trouble because of their businesses failing. One of the great mistakes many of these people have made is to operate with the wrong kind of legal format for their business enterprises.

Many people in business are operating as sole traders or partners when they would be better advised to operate as limited companies. We have now produced a new booklet entitled 'Choosing the Correct Legal Format for Running a Business.' It is designed to help people currently in business, or thinking about setting up their own business, to decide on the most sensible legal format.

It is available by return of post (post free) for £9.95 from The Bankruptcy Association, FREEPOST, 4 Johnson Close, Lancaster, LA1 1BR. I hope this new booklet will help avoid many of the common mistakes that so many entrepreneurs constantly make. Much pain could be avoided if entrepreneurs were better educated in these respects, as so many of our members know to their cost.

Membership of our association costs just £15 a year and we have many specialist services and publications available. Our inquiry line telephone number is: 01524 64305.

John McQueen

Chief Executive

The Bankruptcy Association