TWO women solicitors aim to appeal to female clients after setting up their own firm.

Caroline McBride 41, and Karen Howd, 27, have opened McBride & Howd Solicitors in the Concord district of Washington, Wearside.

The pair, who are both working mothers, set up the business after receiving business start-up advice from the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland.

Ms McBride has worked for a number of North-East firms of solicitors, latterly Gateshead-based John Donkin, in Washington, which was where she met Ms Howd.

The BIC helped them to develop a business plan to attract financial backing, and gave advice on accounting and financial forecasting.

Ms Howd said: "We received a lot of practical down to earth advice which left us with a feeling of security. Like any new business there are always areas of uncertainty, but the BIC advisors were friendly, approachable and professional."

Ms McBride, a member of the Law Society Family Panel, said: "There are only a handful of women solicitors' practices in the region and very few female partners. I think this gives us an advantage for women who want to speak to another woman on issues like matrimonial cases."

Paul Finch, marketing advisor at the BIC, said: "A growing number of women are approaching us. Since April last year, women have headed about 38 per cent of new enterprises helped by the BIC, compared with a regional figure of 20 per cent and 33 per cent for the UK."

For more information on the business start-up services, call Audrey Watt on (0191) 516 6145.