A SUPPORT centre which helps Pendle women bid for jobs and careers has helped its 1,000th customer.

Shanaz Akhtar, of Nelson, has been helped by the Every Opportunity Centre for Women to set up her own business in holistic therapies including reflexology and massage.

Eileen Hirst, business adviser, said: "We particularly want to encourage women from the Asian heritage community to come forward and use our service.

"Shanaz is a shining example of what women can do when given friendly support and advice to realise their ambitions."

Sharon Alexander, careers advisor, said: "We're delighted to celebrate our 1,000th customer. Since the centre opened in 1996 we have supported many different working women including one woman who set up a helicopter piloting business and another who now has her own coach driving business."

Other woman who have been helped include an Asian woman who became a chemical engineer and a disabled woman who is now a customer adviser at Asda.

As well as careers and business support, the centre on Every Street, Nelson, offers confidence building courses and skills building courses such as computing for beginners.

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