A SHREWD Stubbins woman who grasped the potential of web site design when the industry was in its infancy has logged on to a business winner.

Julia Hurst harnessed the rapidly developing computer technology in the mid-1990s by switching from being a freelance illustrator to establishing her own web design company.

Now, her aptly-named Spread the World business has proved a "hit" with a clutch of clients.

Her success is due in no small measure to her vision in identifying early on the role the Internet would ultimately play in our lives.

Married with a 14-year-old son, Julia is a technical illustrator by trade. After gaining her qualifications in the early '80s, she worked in a publicity/marketing role for several years.

"After I had my son, I became a freelance illustrator, gradually embracing computer technology for certain aspects of my work.

"I then progressed into doing more graphics, photo-retouching and desk top publishing work by computer."

She recalled: "I was asked by one American client at the end of 1996 to look at how easy it would be to put some information for them on a web page and my love affair with the Internet began."

Julia cut her teeth on that first, very modest four-page web site and was enthralled by the possibilities the medium presented.

"At the time," she continued, "it was almost incomprehensible that I could design a page with some pictures and text, transfer them by phone line onto a server computer somewhere else in the UK and within seconds, someone in the USA could be looking at them. The concept was simply fantastic.

"In those days, the web was tiny in comparison to today and very few people in the UK were Internet connected. I didn't even know anyone else in the UK who was 'on line' at that time." She went on: "Within a week of putting that site on the web, I had an e-mail from someone in New York wanting more information.

"This is an every day occurrence in 2001, but in 1996 it almost defied comprehension."

Determined to develop her skills and knowledge, at a time when little information was available, Julia bought some books and sat down to "play" with the technology and to teach herself.

Julia proved a model pupil and in 1998 set up business as a commercial designer. Since then, Spread the World has produced sites for national and international companies.

Clients include a Bury bridal company, Business Link and a web site for Stubbins primary school, of which she is a governor.

Not surprisingly, Julia has her own web site devoted to her business. And that amply illustrates that Spread the World has certainly commanded a foothold on the information super highway.

Her web address is www.spreadtheworld.com.