A HELMSLEY woman has been talking about the challenges and opportunities of running her own business at a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London.

Carolyn Frank, owner of Libby Butler Jewellers in Helmsley, and committee member of the Helmsley in Business group, which has just gained the town a coveted Great British High Street Award, was part of a delegation of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members, involving women from across the UK who own and operate their own firms.

Senior advisors from Prime Minister David Cameron’s team heard about how the Government can encourage more women to set up and grow their own businesses from those with first-hand experience.

Members discussed the need for a greater range of female small business role models and mentors, easier access to alternative finance and more tailored business support focused on the specific challenges women face.

Government research shows currently one in five small or medium-sized businesses are majority women-led, however FSB research has shown increasing numbers of small firms established recently in retail, hotels, catering and leisure are owned primarily by women. FSB is working with the Government to make sure female entrepreneurs’ voices are heard and they are supported when looking to start or grow a business.

Carolyn said: "It’s fantastic that the Federation of Small Businesses give members like me a chance to take issues direct to the government, straight from Helmsley’s high street, to Number 10 Downing Street.

"It was a very interesting discussion and it is clear to me that the highest level of government wants to listen to businesses, including micro businesses and SMEs and work with them.

"We don’t always see this level of support locally, particularly from North Yorkshire County Council, so I hope that this will be on their agenda for the New Year."

John Allan, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said:“Understanding the importance of diversity and getting more women into business is critical for a dynamic and vibrant small business sector. Today has been a fantastic opportunity to bring together Government officials and women small business owners to address the changes we need to see.”