A BLACKWOOD single mum unable to work for 15 years due to severe arthritis has set up her own cake-making company.

Tracey Smith, who has three children, said: "I've spent so many years unable to work because of my arthritis, I felt I was merely existing from day to day.

"I'd always dreamed of running my own business, and eventually the time came to do something about it."

Ms Smith approached a women's support agency, Chwarae Teg, for help.

The organisation runs a couple of schemes called Women's Enterprise Wales, and the Lone Parents' Venture project.

Both were suitable to help Ms Smith advance her ambition.

She said: "I love making cakes for special occasions and have done so for friends and family for many years.

"But I knew nothing about how to run a business, and this is where Chwarae Teg's help was invaluable. The staff helped me believe in myself and my own abilities again."

Chwarae Teg's enterprise development manager, Lynne Refae, worked with Ms Smith and introduced her to a network of support organisations including Newport and Gwent Enterprise, which helped her put a business plan together.

She received a start-up grant from Broker Cymru and will run Beautiful Buffets and Cakes (BBC) from a converted outbuilding at her home.

"I can take on work at my own pace," she said.

"My family had mixed feelings when I first made the decision to do this because they thought I was taking on too much of a challenge.