A Darlington woman has launched herself into a new business career.

Dorothy Cormack had worked for years around the area as a support worker, with businesses such as Darlington College of Technology, Darlington Association on Disability and Mind.

Now Dorothy, 57, has retrained and qualified as am aromatherapist and reflexologist.

She has already been the recipient of letters from doctors and other medical practitioners whose patients she has helped through her complementary services.

On deciding to change career and become self-employed, despite the potential pitfalls, Mrs Cormack underwent a business studies training programme and carried out market research.

Her efforts have been helped by Darlington Business Venture.

Darlington Business Venture's senior business counsellor, Paula Maddison, said: "Age is no longer a barrier into self-employment, it is seen as a positive attribute in coping with running a business.

"There is no substitute for experience. At Darlington Business Venture we are witnessing an increase in the number of mature business starts each year. This is one of the growth areas."