ONE of the region's most powerful business women has launched a rural fact-finding mission in a bid to boost the countryside economy.

Kate McIntyre, the recently appointed operations director of Business Link Yorkshire recently visited outlying areas in the Dales.

The move follows publication of a recent report that revealed a "hidden" migration of businesses from towns and cities to the countryside.

According to the study carried out by the Commission for Rural Communities, Britain's rural economy is now worth up to £347bn a year - and is still growing.

Experts believe the growth of high speed data links and cheaper broadband has encouraged the growth of countryside-loving entrepreneurs who can run their businesses from remote areas.

There are now more businesses per 10,000 people in the countryside than there are in urban areas - but some may need help through the recession.

In a bid to discover the strengths of Yorkshire's rural economy, Kate McIntyre visited some of the Dales' most successful business ventures.

Among the businesses she visited were: * Hawes Farmers Auction Mart: Established nearly 100 years ago, Wensleydale's leading livestock mart has enjoyed a successful last few years following a shares issue that paid off debts of more than £300,000 and secured the long-term future of the business.

Chairman Andrew Pratt said: ""It's great that someone at 'the top' is willing to listen to our needs."

* The Mulberry Bush: A small shop on the main street of Hawes, the Mulberry Bush is run by Helen Iveson who said: "Fear of failure is a key driver. I had to earn a living to support my young family.

"It's good that Business Link's senior management want to hear what support I need and their offer of help is appreciated."

* Other successful businesses helping Ms McIntyre include the Old Board Inn, now under the management of new owner Ray Lupton; and Ribblesdale Cheese, which produces hand-made Wensleydale Cheese, goats milk, buffalo and sheep milk cheese.

Accompanying Ms McIntyre was Business Link Business Improvement Adviser, Alice Amsden, a former founder Director of Wensleydale Creamery.

Business Link offers independent and impartial help for SME's looking to improve and develop. The tax-payer funded organisation assists thousands of businesses across Yorkshire every year, playing a vital role in new job creation by increasing turnover and profitability.

Ms McIntyre is a chartered accountant who started her career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She has worked for a number of organisations, including Skipton Building Society, First Direct, AXA PPP Healthcare and HBOS.

Of the fact finding mission she said: "Our rural businesses are vital. Although they are rural in location, they are not local in their reach. It is tremendously important Business Link Yorkshire provides all the help and assistance it can to help them prosper."

Ms Amsden has a 15 year proven track record, from starting a business and growing it to employ 190 staff with a turnover of £16m.

She said: "I have lived in the Dales all my life and am passionate about the local economy. I am privileged to work in a beautiful area and want to help other businesses survive and prosper for the benefit of all."