But around the UK, entrepreneurs are proving that there are still rich seams to be mined in more traditional areas.

There are a number of fisheries in the area I could supply as they get their worms from down south at the moment

John Challis

That is particularly true in the Highlands of Scotland, where large employers are few and far between and people often have to use their own initiative to survive.

John Challis, of Littlemill, near Nairn has gone to ground with his business plan and started a worm farm.

The former Royal Navy engineer plans to supply fish farms, tackle shops and local anglers with fresh live bait.

We do look for a degree of innovation, we're not keen to help too many people compete with existing businesses

Roddy MacNeil, Inverness & Nairn Enterprise

He hopes football clubs will also use his worms to aerate the soil of their pitches.

Mr Challis has been constructing the facilities at his home and building up his stock.

When he is established next year, he hopes to be supplying 5,000 worms a week, and would like eventually to take on staff.

"I am hoping that in a year or two I would need help in separating the worms and with the packaging. There are a number of fisheries in the area I could supply as they get their worms from down south at the moment," he said.

And while his is a very traditional business, he intends using the internet to advertise his services.

Mr Challis has been helped by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise, which runs a business start-up programme to help unemployed people.

If the proposal meets certain criteria, up to �60 a week is available for between six and 12 months.

From personnel officer to highlander

That helped personnel officer Ray Owens to give up his old career and embark on a new and unusual path.

Billed as The Highlander's Experience, he dresses in full Jacobite regalia and recounts tales from Scottish history to schools, functions and tour groups.

He started in February last year and has gradually built up his customer base - he has now done more than 300 performances.

People are always online to give you some advice and when you're working on your own and are not used to running a one man business that's just great.

Ray Owen, 'Jacobite clansman'

Culloden-based Mr Owens believed there was a niche for him in the marketplace and was grateful for the financial assistance available.

But he also welcomed the advice he was given on book-keeping, marketing and other business essentials.

While changing careers can involve a steep learning curve, there are some obvious benefits.

"I am having the time of my life doing this," said Ray Owens.

Stress buster

Sheila Morrison is another start-up enjoying success.

She runs a mobile massage business in and around Inverness, targeting tourist hotels but with plans to extend into health centres and even Inverness Airport.

She gained a diploma in Swedish massage last year, and is keen to offer her services to businesses, focusing on the benefits of massage for stress management.

"I work out with Americans who are keen golfers and used to massage - I learn so much from them," she explained.

"Also, a report in the Highlands found that work place stress is as predominant here as it is anywhere else and onsite massage is just perfect.

"You can arrive at the workstation and in 15 or 20 minutes people can get back to work."

The chief executive of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise, Bill Sylvester, said people often needed a range of help as well as cash because starting a business could be a daunting prospect.

"We are able to help a very diverse range of new businesses, which are the key to an area's future prosperity," he said.