A DJ and magic enterprise and a boat cleaning service were among the 76 new businesses created through a non-profit agency in North Somerset in the first half of 2014.

The North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) gives advice to fledgling businesses and has helped to create almost 100 jobs since the turn of the year across a number of sectors.

The list of start-ups also includes a restaurant, children’s gift business and estate agent.

NSEA also revealed of the 44 new businesses it assisted over the same period three years ago, more than 90 per cent are still trading, whereas normally about one in three would be expected to close down.

Chief executive Angela Hicks welcomed the figures, and called on more businesses to work alongside the agency.

She said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine that drives the British economy so it is encouraging to see that new business start-up figures remain high in the year to date.

“We are also thrilled to see that more than 90 per cent of the businesses we helped start out three years ago are still trading.

“We welcome anyone in North Somerset who is thinking about starting a business, as well as those small businesses who have ambitions to grow, to get in touch and find out how we can help.”