A research programme aimed at helping people who work from home has attracted dozens of responses, even before it is officially launched.

Horsham District Council plans an initial investigation to find out more about the number, nature and needs of home-based businesses in its area.

It will use the information to develop policies to assist firms with their economic success and future development.

Early inquiries and suggestions to help shape the research have come in from home businesses as varied as booksellers, Spanish tuition and stage artistes.

One inquiry was from the Women in Business network, which has 40 members in the area, most of whom work from home.

The diversity of the businesses shows why the council thinks home-based businesses are a vital part of the local economy.

The council said they were a clear benefit to the community because they greatly reduce commuting, use homes more efficiently, are energy efficient, socially benevolent and already a major employment sector.

Some estimates suggest as many as one in four people are already working residents.

In many rural areas, homebased businesses provide a vital source of new jobs and a viable alternative to agriculture in sustaining village economies.

The results of the research will be available in the autumn, and the council expects to be able to develop its policies, following consultation with resident-workers later in the year.