WORCESTERSHIRE women who set up their own business after years of unemployment have won a prestigious award.

Claire Van Looy and Kate Trussell, who opened up Teme Valley Care in Tenbury Wells after getting a loan through the Prince’s Trust, received the Federation of Small Businesses Enterprise award at the charity’s Celebrate Success ceremony.

The future had looked bleak for the pair. Miss Trussell, aged 28, had lost her job and home and Miss Van Looy, 26, had low confidence after suffering bullying and harassment in her former job. When they saw a gap in the market for a care service to the elderly and disabled they contact the trust and secured a low-interest loan. Teme Valley Care has since gone from strength to strength.

The Celebrate Success Awards honour the achievements of disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

The finalists were selected from 4,000 young people who had supported by the trust in the West Midlands over the past year.

The glittering awards ceremony took place at the Aston Villa Football Club ground in Birmingham.