A BUSINESSWOMAN whose company started off catering for coffee mornings and now has a £4million turnover has been crowned North West Entrepreneur of the Year.

Helen Colley set up Clitheroe-based Farmhouse Fare in 1998 as an outside catering company operating from the farm where she grew up, and branched out to producing puddings just four years ago.

Now Farmhouse Fare is respected across the food retail world, and supplies to stores including Booths, Asda, Morrisons and Tesco. Last year turnover was £4million, which is expected to rise to £8m next year.

Her springboard to success was when she successfully pitched a business idea to hard-nosed Tesco chairman Sir Terry Leahy after he gave a lecture.

She said: "I just went up to Sir Terry and said why don't you stock my puddings?'"

Helen was named The Credit Suisse Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the National Business Awards Regional Programme during a ceremony at The Palace Hotel, Manchester. Her firm also received the title of North West AXA Small-to-medium Business of the Year for the second year running.

Mrs Colley, 40, and the company, which has 70 staff, based in Lincoln Way, Clitheroe, will now be entered into the national finals of both categories in London on November 7.

She said: "We are extremely proud and thrilled. The recent awards undoubtedly recognise the dedication and sheer hard work put in the Farmhouse Fare team.