A SOUTHAMPTON-based company that specialises in yacht sail branding was crowned one of the UK's top ten female-run enterprises in T-Mobile's Women Mean business Awards.

Trudy Crook, managing director of Ocean Art, pictured second from right, proudly accepted a trophy before an audience of leading business people at London's Caf Royal.

The company also received a £3,000 telecommunications package.

Launched in February, the awards are designed to honour the one million women who are running their own independent businesses.

This sector is one of the fastest growing within the UK economy, with more than half the female workforce now self-employed.

T-Mobile UK managing director Brian McBride said: "Trudy has displayed innovation, determination and creativity to become a powerful role model to all aspiring business women.''