Help! Starting out as a freelancer

[confusedofcroydon]

Hi there,

I've been thinking about taking the plunge and become a freelancer. I've been unemployed for 6 months after the printing co. I worked for went bust. I have kept regular contact with come of me ex clients, some of which would like to work with me again but on a freelance basis. I've read lots of information about registering self employment and I have just come away confused!!!

Basically what I would like to do is, take up the freelance work as and when and either take a part time job, attempt to get some other freelance work or some agency temp work. What I would like to know is how do I register? As a sole trader or do I have to set up a company or is there some other option I don't know about?

Any info would be most appreciated!

Thanks

JD