A bid to urge mothers to become entrepreneurs has been launched in the North-East.

Business Link in Tyne and Wear and Women Into the Network (WIN) are joining forces to encourage the region's mothers to participate in the national business mum boom which is worth £4.4bn to the British economy according to a recent Yellow Pages survey.

And to inspire them the organisations are hosting a networking event to instil confidence and encourage women to grow their business.

The Working Mum - How to Nurture Your Business AND Your Family event will be held at The People's Theatre, Newcastle on February 28. The region's business women are invited to listen to the success stories of five of the North-East's entrepreneurs who have developed their own business while raising a family and juggling family chores.

Among the guest speakers are Nicola Skinner of Clever Clogs Childcare, Siobhan Bales of The Bgroup, Jane Graham of 20:20 Consulting, freelance business mentor Wendy Parvin and Ruth Winden of Jam Tomorrow.

Business Link adviser Lynn Elves said: "We recognise that the issues women face in running a business may be different from those facing men and events like this are important for women to be able to share their thoughts and best practice with other women.

"Childcare and fear of debt remain the main barriers to women setting up or growing a business and this event specifically focuses on the following questions:

* Is it possible for mothers to have the confidence and actually run a business (be it from home or dedicated offices) and not have to feel guilty about it?

* Can existing businesswomen with children take the step to grow their current business for which childcare may already be a barrier - and if so how?

"This is one of the many projects where we're actively working with women across Tyne and Wear to increase the number of females in enterprise who can contribute to the economic growth of the region."

This `Working Mum' event runs from 11.45am to 2pm on Wednesday, February 28, at The People's Theatre, Newcastle, and crèche facilities are available.

For more information or to book a place at this event contact Donna McCrate on (0191) 334-5502 or email donna.mccrate@durham.ac.uk

Business Link provides access to a wide range of independent information, advice and resources to help you identify and develop business needs.

* For more information please call 0845 600 9 006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk.