A Swindon woman who produces her own jewellery has won the top prize in a local competition for businesswomen.

Caroline Waldron has won the Swindon Business-women's Breakfast Club Make it Happen award for her new company, The Sparkly Princess, which makes bespoke special-occasion jewellery, including wedding tiaras, prom jewellery and party wands.

Caroline, from Oakhurst in north Swindon, has just completed the University of Bath in Swindon's Women into Enterprise Scheme.

Two other students of the scheme are runners up in the awards: Laura Campbell for her complementary therapy and beauty business, Hands of Thyme, and Alex Coppock-Bunce for Answers in Mind, her hypnotherapy business.

The Women into Enterprise scheme is a free training course and programme of support for women who want to start their own business.

Run by the university's Business Hub, it offers advice, training and guidance, plus a crche for women from Swindon, Wiltshire and neighbouring parts of Gloucestershire.

Women are invited to attend a coffee morning or evening at the Oakfield campus to find out more about the scheme and meet the team.

The scheme starts again in September, running through to July 2007, with weekly morning or evening sessions.

Caroline was inspired to start her company to fit in with the needs of her young family and avoid paying out earnings on childcare care costs.

The university scheme increased her business confidence and gave her the drive and focus to succeed.

"The advice, words of wisdom and encouragement from tutors and classmates was invaluable," said Caroline.

"Now I have the best of both worlds I have my own money, but I can still pick up my children up from school."

The award includes a £500 prize for career training, which will fund a silversmithing course which will enable Caroline to expand her range of tiaras to include new designs with set stones.

To sign up for a Women into Enterprise coffee meeting or for more information visit www.swindonwomen. co.uk or call Kirsty Lovell on 01793 328770.

Women into Enterprise is one of three projects run by the Business Hub, which receives European Social Fund money to support its work with local businesses.

The Swindon Business-women's Breakfast Club consists of members from across the commercial spectrum.

Members have the opportunity to network, exchange views and listen to speakers on a wide range of topics, both business and community related.