A milliner has returned to the region from her home in Sydney, Australia, to find stockists for her hat designs.

Dawn Woodward was visiting the North-East to see family and friends, but decided to use the trip to promote her business, too.

After flying into London, she took a train to her native County Durham, and during the journey saw an article in a magazine about Darlington's Grange Road, an exclusive shopping area.

When Ms Woodward visited the area she found the Kate Saint boutique, and struck up a conversation with owner Kate Saint.

Ms Woodward showed her the Dawn Knight Collection of hats, they struck a deal and the shop now stocks Ms Woodward's latest collection of creative headgear.

"I'm delighted that Kate is taking my Spring/Summer 2004 collection," said Ms Woodward. "I know that she won't let any lady leave in a hat that doesn't suit her.

"Every hat must be a part of a great adventure, an extension of your personality."

Ms Woodward, who comes from Newton Aycliffe, opened her first hat shop in London's Battersea in 1995, after studying at Westminster College, the London College of Fashion and Chelsea School of Arts, as well as working with royal hat-maker Rose Cory.

Using the Internet saw her business flourish in 1999, when her brother Mark's web design company, CWDesign, created her website, which led to orders for her hats from all over the world.

In 2000 she decided to move to Australia.

"I had travelled to Australia many times and loved it, so I decided to take my business out there," she said.

"It has been a challenge, but one well worth it."

Since then Ms Woodward has launched an exclusive collection of her hats with Myers Grace Brothers and been filmed for Australia's Channel 10 in a programme showing designers at work.

She also made hats for the film Scooby Doo and is now back in Sydney preparing for the spring racing carnival, which will feature the Melbourne Cup.

There are also plans for more stockists in London and New York.

For details of the hat collection, visit the website at www.dawn-knight.com.