A YOUNG people's charity has helped two women set up businesses in the same street.

Dianne Pearson, 29, and Sarah Emery, 19, have found their niches thanks to the business start-up programme of The Prince's Trust, which helps more than 400 young North-East people each year.

Ms Pearson, who runs a coffee shop bearing her name in Richard Street, Hetton-le-Hole, contacted the trust after becoming tired of factory work.

She said: "I just seemed to be going nowhere. Then I remembered that The Prince's Trust starts people into business, so I got in touch.

"They do much more than lend money - they also give advice, and I knew that would be very important."

Ms Emery, whose florist's shop Tigerlily has been operating in the same street for two months, was unsure of what to do when she left college.

She said: "I had tried a number of different courses but dropped out of them one after another and was unemployed.

"Then I thought about becoming a florist and after studying the subject for a little while, it just clicked.

"I have been in business two months now and it is building really well.

"It is brilliant and I love it."

Tracy Richardson, the trust's business manager for Tyne and Wear, said: "Dianne and Sarah are perfect examples of young people taking advantage of the self-employment choices and opportunities The Prince's Trust makes available."

The trust can be contacted on 0191-420 6991.