WHEN working mother Claire Royle started her own business, it was her newborn daughter who provided the inspiration.

Camilla, now 18 months old, still plays a valuable role in her mother's business, modelling some of the personalised clothing and gifts for children produced by decorative needlework firm Claire Royle Applique.

Mrs Royle, 28, runs the company from her home in Whorlton, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, and plans to expand with help from Business Link County Durham. She supplies items with personalised initials or name sewn on.

Now, she is looking to expand the range and exploit demand from around the world, especially the US, Hong Kong and Norway.

"When Camilla was born, I was given a lovely hand- appliqued towel from France and was surprised to find that no one in the UK seemed to do anything as nice," she said.

Business Link helped develop a growth plan - and business has doubled since, with most coming through her website, www. claireroyle.co.uk