PEOPLE who work from home are being urged to swot up on their rights thanks to a partnership between Rossendale Borough Council and the National Home Working Group.

The council has launched an advice leaflet and a website link for anyone considering setting-up their own business or who already works from home.

The move comes after it was revealed the number of people working from home in Rossendale has increased with about three per cent of the workforce now based there.

Warning that homeworkers are often low-paid with little employment protections, the leaflet also tells people planning to work from home as a labour only sub-contractor in tasks such as assembling, packing, sewing or knitting, that they should check out the company's credentials before starting work.

The National Group on Homeworking is currently trying to set-up a Rossendale and Burnley group and will be running a series of stalls in the area throughout September and October.

Chairman of Rossendale Council's development, regeneration and environmental committee, Councillor Nick Pilling, said: "We estimate that more than three per cent of the borough's working population currently work from home and we are keen to see this figure grow.

"Indeed, our research shows that almost as many people again would like to work from home.

"We want people to know they can ring us for advice if they're working from home even if they're earning cash in hand.

"We do not encourage this sort of arrangement, but can still give advice on a confidential basis."

The Working from Home leaflet is available free by writing to Rossendale Borough Council, Town Hall, Economic Development Officer, Lord Street, Rossendale, BB4 7LZ.