WHEN Sarah McHale fell pregnant in the last year of her business degree, aged just 22, she was forced to push her career hopes and aspirations to one side and focus on being a mother.

But three years and two daughters later, Sarah felt she had lost her sense of identity outside of motherhood and wanted the confidence to follow her dreams and start up a business venture.

And enrolling on a women's development course at The New Vic, Northwich, has helped the 26-year-old Station Road resident do just that.

"When you become a mum you kind of lose yourself. You do everything for your children and nothing for you so the course was time for myself," she said.

"The course was informal and aimed to help young mums see themselves as individual people again."

"Before falling pregnant I always had big business ideas, it just comes naturally and it is what I love."

In September, Sarah will launch Bella Escapes Bespoke Tuscan Weddings; a company which organises weddings in Tuscany, Italy.

"Me and my husband got married in Volterra, Tuscany, in 2005 and we organised the whole thing ourselves. That's when I first had the idea of turning organising weddings into a business but then my second daughter Ebony came along," she said.

Ever motivated, she balanced caring for Amber, three and Ebony, 13 months, with attending the free learning course.

Community Development Officer at The New Vic, Sue Harrop, said: "I was really impressed by just how motivated and driven Sarah was. After having children, women need self esteem development and that's what the course does."

In response to the recent cancellation of weddings at Winnington Hall, Sarah is offering those affected a 10 per cent discount on her services. For more information, call 01606 334833 or 07788 971 878.