A BUSINESSWOMAN stepped in to save a jazz legend's blushes when she was stranded without her stage clothes.

Hours before singer Cleo Laine was about to take centre stage at a sell-out concert at the International Centre, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, she realised her outfits had been left behind at a previous venue, in Suffolk.

Backstage staff rushed to the aid of the 73-year-old star.

Hilary Haresign, owner of an evening wear hire business in Hookstone Road, Oatlands, Harrogate, was just closing the shop when she received a frantic call from the centre.

"I'd no idea what size or style Cleo Laine would want, so I just grabbed about 20 outfits and dashed off down to the centre with them," said Hilary, who runs the Snooty Frox business.

Cleo chose black trousers, camisole and a full-length black, sequinned jacket.

Hilary said: "Cleo liked the jacket so much she bought it for her trip to America."

The unexpected call-out left Hilary late for work at the family-run restaurant in Harewood.

"I rang in to say they would have to stall the customers because I was getting an outfit for Cleo Laine," she said.

Cleo has since penned a note to thank her.