A group of Norfolk business women met business minister Mark Prisk at an event about rural enterprise.

Six entrepreneurs from the county were guests at the Rural Business Action Day organised by Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) on Friday.

The event was organised to demonstrate to the minister the diversity and importance of rural business and were invited as a result of their continued success and commitment to helping other women start and grow their businesses in Norfolk.

The group consisted of Claire Martinsen of Watton-based soft drinks brand Breckland Orchard, Gabrielle Buckingham of handmade decorations maker MooBaaCluck, Jane Pennington of jewellery firm Stone-me, Kate Elliott, of Norwich-based marketing and design firm Active, Sophie Garrett of marketing firm Yours2Share and Penny Lindop of cards firm Penny Lindop Designs.

The day featured case studies of WiRE members, presentations from regional network leaders, an exhibition and contributions from a number of influential rural stakeholders.

Polly Gibb, director at WiRE, said: 'We were thrilled that the minister agreed to attend the Rural Business Action Day. We were able to show him the rich diversity of rural businesses and how the women running these businesses are contributing significantly to the rural economy.'

Mr Prisk said: 'If our economy is to recover and grow, we need to bring out the enterprising spirit in everyone across the country, and it is important that people from all parts the UK feel motivated and inspired to start their own business.'