SUCCESSFUL women entrepreneurs won the hearts of guests at a successful business event on Valentine's Day.

The inaugural North Manchester Women in Business Awards lunch -- organisers are already talking about another one next year -- attracted 220 people to the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

Bolton Business Ventures, the enterprise agency which organised the successful Bolton and Bury Business Awards for nine years, decided to switch direction and reward the contribution which women make to the economy in Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan.

The event was designed to establish local role models for other women contemplating starting a business or expanding an existing one.

It is part of BBV's current initiative to establish a Centre of Excellence for Women in Business across the five North Manchester towns.

The project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund EQUAL programme.

The awards are linked with specific loan funds, business mentoring and network support. Category winners received £2,000 and runners-up took home £1,000.

Business Link North Manchester was the principal awards sponsor and the category sponsors were the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bolton Institute, Barclays Bank and BBV.

Former Granada presenter Beverley Ashworth hosted the awards and took part in discussions with guests including Ruth Kelly, the MP for Bolton West and Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

She said the Government recognised the importance of small businesses to the economy and wanted to make it as easy as possible for women and people from ethnic minorities to start their own firms.

The Minister was impressed by the high-tech staging of the event complete with large screen and video clips from competing businesses.

"I think this is brilliant," she said.

"It gives women the self-confidence and belief that they can do something valuable by setting up their own small businesses."

Mr Paul Davidson, Chief Executive of Bolton Business Ventures, spoke about the Women in Business Loan Fund (more information on 01204 391400) which makes £700,000 available for female entrepreneurs across North Manchester.

He said 26 per cent of all businesses were started by women and it was hoped to increase that percentage.

The presentation included a video message from Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

She praised the awards contenders and said there were four times as many men as women setting up companies in the North-west.

She hoped that the gap could be bridged.

JEAN WILSON AWARD

A COMPANY with a niche market in caring won the entrepreneurship award given in memory of prominent Bolton businesswoman Jean Wilson -- the former BBV chairman who was Chief Executive of Vernacare.

Managing Director Hilary Doherty accepted the trophy and cheque on behalf of Fostering Solutions Ltd of Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

The company, which was formed in June, 2000 and employs 16 people, recruits, trains and supports foster carers.

The business is on target to reach a turnover of £10 million in the next two years and there are plans to open new offices in the North-east and Midlands.

Hilary has worked in the childcare field for 30 years as a social worker and senior manager.

Runner-up: Laura Heywood of Kleen Strike (UK) Ltd , Rochdale -- a remanufacturer of laser toner cartridges.

MOST INNOVATIVE IDEA

TRACY Kirk of the training Lab in Platt Lane, Hindley, impressed the judges with a business based on her experience in nursing.

She believed that over the years nurses' training had moved away from a "Hands-On" approach to a theoretical academic environment. It was suffering as a result, she thought.

The audience was told that she had developed an innovative programme of training which was related directly to the practical role of the nurse. It has been introduced across the north of England within nine months of starting.

Runner-up: Lorna Roscow of Inventors' Highway, Square Street, Ramsbottom.

SUPPORTER OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS

THIS category was won by Angela Hamilton, Technical Business Adviser with Business Link North Manchester.

She works from the Investment Centre in Wigan and helps businesses throughout Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Oldham and Rochdale.

Angela was nominated by Harwood-based Synergy Consulting and Training Ltd.

Operations Director Adele Hughes told the judges: "I know that without Angela's guidance and knowledge Synergy would not be the professional looking company that it is today."

The award recognises the contributions made by professional advisers such as bankers, accountants, business angels, investors or mentors.

Angela's skills and support were shown to have helped a woman's business succeed.

She received her award and cheque from her boss -- Peter Morton, Chief Executive of Business Link North Manchester.

YOUNG WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR

CHIROPODIST Lisa Entwistle, aged 26, opened her Active Feet Chiropody Surgery in Mawdsley Street, Bolton in June, 2001.

The birth of her daughter Nicole when she was 20 was a wake-up call which led her to decide on a clear path to self-employment.

Presenter Beverley Ashworth said: "To have gone from being an unemployed, unqualified, homeless, jobless and penniless divorced young mum to a BSc- qualifed owner of a thriving business in five years is a remarkable achievement."

After finding it difficult to get loans from banks to establish the business, she approached the Prince's Trust and remains grateful for their help.

Runner-up: Nazeera Atcha, aged 25, owner of Talented Hands in the Bolton Enterprise Centre, Washington Street -- a creative arts consultancy established in 1998.

BEST CORPORATE ENTREPRENEUR

MANAGING Director Maureen Urquhart-Jones founded Intro Recruitment Ltd in Arcade Street, Wigan in 1982.

It is now a multi-million pound concern which employs 20 people directly and has more than 500 temporary staff on the books.

The company supplies temporary and permanent staff in four areas -- commercial, industrial, driving and nursing.

Judges were told that Intro believes in being honest with people. "You get what you see with us," she says.

Staff all have personal development plans which can lead to desirable professional qualifications.

Runner-up: Linda Taylor of Linda Taylor Associates, a Swinton-based recruitment business established in 1987 which has an office in Bark Street East, Bolton.

The award was collected on her behalf by Linda's daughter Kate.

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF YEAR

LIVELY entrepreneur Ann Rimmer has won several business accolades since she founded Clock Creative Communications Ltd in 1999.

The graphic design and multi-media business now has five full-time and three freelance staff.

Clock, which is based in All Saints Street, Bolton, offers services which include design and production of corporate identity, literature, advertising, packaging, direct mail, exhibitions and web site design.

Ann, who was brought up in Ribchester and lives in Rawtenstall, has received national recognition for flexible, family-friendly working practices which are appreciated by staff.

They include "duvet mornings" which allow workers kept up by crying babies to stay in bed and make up the time later.

Runner-up: Linda Taylor of Linda Taylor Associates.

WOMAN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

FORMER Smithills teacher Dorothy Martland, who retired through ill-health nine years ago, won this category for her success with the unique not for profit organisation DBBC@Bolton Market Radio.

It stands for Diversity in Barrier-Breaking Communications -- a remarkable organisation which won a National Training Award last year.

The organisation, which is based in the Ashburner Street markets complex, gives one-to-one training in a nationally-accredited course in skills through broadcasting.

It helps people who need help with confidence-building, including special needs teenagers, battered wives and asylum-seekers.

Runner-up: Hilary Doherty, Fostering Solutions Ltd. She collected the prize with fellow director Michelle Cuffe.