A DISABLED entrepreneur from Penketh has been named the regional winner of a national competition that recognises new businesses.

Hayley McKune, owner of Skin and Tonic Holistic Therapies, on Warrington Road, was presented with a cheque for £500 by Helen Southworth, MP, for her success in the ‘Ready to Start Entrepreneur Awards’.

Ready to Start is a three-year business start-up initiative run by Leonard Cheshire Disability in partnership with Barclays that gives 600 disabled people help to start their own business.

Hayley, who was seriously injured along with her husband in a road traffic collision, became interested in holistic and beauty therapy when she was unable to continue along her original career path.

She said: “It is a great honour to receive this fantastic award and to have Skin and Tonic Holistic Therapies recognised in this way.

“Support from Ready to Start has meant I have been able to gain the skills to make the business grow and overcome the fear, prejudice and misconception that often stand in the way of disabled people.”

Hayley has been able to grow her business acumen thanks to support from Sarah Ryan, Ready to Start regional co-ordinator for the north west.

Sarah said: “Initiatives like Ready to Start play a vital role in empowering disabled people to realise their dreams of running their own business.

“Many disabled people find working for themselves an ideal way to earn a living as they can choose to work from home and arrange hours that suit them.”

Skin and Tonic offers a variety of treatments including aromatherapy, reiki, reflexology, Swedish back massage as well as other types of massage, hopi ear candling and cromoaroma holistic facial using colours and essential oils.

For more information call Hayley on 722254.