A MOTHER-of-two has realised her dream of opening her own beauty salon with the help of a mentor from The Prince's Trust.

Caroline Mason, 30, from Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, trained as a beautician and held several part time jobs, including three years working in a customer services department. But none of them provided the challenge she wanted, so she gave them up and stayed at home with her children.

Then she decided to start her own business, using her skills as a beautician and, with the help of The Prince's Trust, set up her own beauty salon, the Beauty Box.

The trust provided her with a loan and the services of a business mentor, which the organisation thinks is a vital in helping young businesses survive.

From her salon, based in the Relax and Tan premises, on Pelton's Front Street, Caroline offers manicures, pedicures, eyebrow shaping, waxing and facials. She is already looking to employ someone to help her offer other treatments, such as reflexology, body wraps and body massage.

Caroline's mentor is 40-year-old self-employed management consultant Andrew Nicholson, of Birtley, whose clients range from small owner-managed companies to big multi-nationals.

He said: "It's not so much providing advice as acting as a sounding board for their ideas. It is very different from being a consultant.

"The other important aspect of a mentor is listening. It is very much their business and they are encouraged to make their own decisions."