WOMEN'S economic champion Chwarae Teg has won a Prowess award for its enterprise development activities.

Prowess is the UK association of organisations devoted to supporting women in business.

Chwarae Teg's chief executive Ruth Marks received the award from Isabella Moore, chairman of the government's Women's Enterprise Panel, on board the Cutty Sark in London.

Ms Moore, a former president of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Every woman who wants to start a business should have access to appropriate and effective support.

"This will be of benefit to the woman herself, the local economy and overall economic growth."

"We know from visiting the US that the massive rise in the number of female business owners has been due in part to the excellent support on offer to women in that country.

Although it has a Welsh name (meaning "fair play") you don't need to be a linguist to benefit as Chwarae Teg works in English.

Ms Marks said: "We're delighted to be recognised by Prowess at a time when we're busy with our Women's Enterprise Wales (WEW) and Lone Parents' Venture (LPV) projects.

"WEW gave more than 600 women advice and support in 2003-04. It resulted in the start-up of 157 new businesses and the creation of about 243 new jobs.

"In the last three years Chwarae Teg has worked with over 3,300 women across Wales and nearly 1,800 have received at least seven hours' support time.

"From those, 446 have started up their own businesses, leading to the creation of 605 jobs."

In the same period Chwarae Teg has helped 150 lone parents get into business via the Welsh Development Agency's Potentia programme. Assembly economic development minister Andrew Davies described Chwarae Teg's award win as "a remarkable achievement".

Women who need help to get started should call Chwarae Teg on 02920 478900.