A FORMER nun from a closed order will address a meeting of business women tonight.

Catherine Wallis, who was a member of Darlington's Carmelites community for 14 years, recently left to start up her own business.

Tonight, she will speak at the first meeting of the Women's Business Network, at the town's Morton Park business park.

The network has been set up to help women who are in business or want to start their own companies.

It aims to offer practical help and support, as well as a mentoring service for women who might feel isolated in the business world.

Miss Wallis is hoping to set up a spiritual counselling service and will talk to the meeting about her fears and isolation having left the closed order for the business world.

Ann Marie Jones, from the network, said: "Catherine loved being in the closed order, but she is now ready for a new part of her life.

"The Carmelites are still supporting her, even though she has moved on.

"We hope the network will help her and other women who often feel that the business world does not support them."

About 40 women are expected to attend the first meeting of the network tonight at the Business Training Centre in Morton Park.