TWELVE years ago, Pauline Robson was homeless and penniless after a divorce.

Then her father died, followed by her aunt less than a year later, while Ms Robson, 57, also discovered she had cataracts.

Despite all that, she has started a restaurant and has now won a national award for overcoming the odds.

Ms Robson, 57, was living on incapacity benefits only a few years ago before she opened her restaurant, Meze, in Darlington.

It marked a new chapter in her life, after she almost suffered a breakdown following the series of traumas, which left her unable to leave her house or answer the telephone.

Now, however, Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant Meze, which she set up with partner Cem Eskia, is thriving, and Ms Robson has won the national Avanta Business Start-up of the Year Award, which she received at a ceremony at the House of Commons.

The awards recognise individuals who have overcome personal, educational or health-related barriers to move from unemployment into entrepreneurship.

Ms Robson said the support she has been given from Mr Eskia and business support organisation InBiz has been vital to her success.

She said: “I know that there are others out there with mental health problems who would love to go into their own business, but lack the support.

“Now I can look to the future, and I am proof that no matter what happens in your life, you can succeed with the right support.”

Ms Robson said that while she was concerned that aspects of running a business may have been too much for her, she now has no regrets about opening Meze, in Parkgate.

Janette Faherty, the chief executive of Avanta, said Ms Robson showed that people could still live their dreams.

She said: “Pauline has worked hard to take the step from benefits to self-employment, and although it was daunting, having expert, tailored help along the way has helped her business to become a success.”