SPORTS BRA retailer Selaine Messem has been named Wessex Businesswoman of the Year for her innovative approach to selling underwear so all women can get into fitness.

As a personal trainer and aerobics instructor, Selaine, 32, was painfully aware of how difficult it was to find a sports bra that did the job - so she set up her own firm LessBounce to tackle the problem.

More than 200 guests at the awards luncheon organised by the Winged Fellowship Trust saw Selaine receive her award from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mrs Mary Fagan.

After the ceremony at the Hampshire Rose Bowl, a delighted Selaine, whose business is based on the outskirts of Salisbury, said: "I am so pleased to receive the award, I hope it will help to promote the company.

"We are small and not many people know about us, so this will hopefully help to make our name more well known."

Last year's winner Sally Lynskey said the award had opened doors for her company GRP Laminates.

She told the audience of business people that her firm had gone from a turnover of £140,000 a few years ago to £1.4m - and they plan to launch a range of motor boats at next year's Cowes sailing event.

"It was a tremendous honour to be the first Wessex Businesswoman of the Year.

"It has opened up doors for me and allowed me to meet more people than I would have thought possible," she said.

Edwina Currie, writer broadcaster and former MP, regaled the audience with anecdotes about strong female figures in the House of Commons including Margaret Thatcher.

She praised the finalists who included Avril Owton, owner of the Cloud Hotel, Brockenhurst, Jenny Warner of Family Match, a recruitment firm, and Suki Floyd, who runs Corporate Computer Leasing.

"There were 20 nominations originally and it came down to four finalists - and you are all winners," she said.

The Winged Fellowship Trust, a charity that has centres in Southampton and across the country, is a leading provider of holidays for the disabled and carers.

Want to help the trust, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year? Contact 023 8045 5845.