SCORES of influential businesswomen from across Norfolk and Suffolk arrived to share tips and ideas at a networking lunch near Thetford on Wednesday .

SCORES of influential businesswomen from across Norfolk and Suffolk arrived to share tips and ideas at a networking lunch near Thetford on Wednesday .

Former MP Edwina Currie was guest of honour as more than 100 business representatives sat down to lunch.

Designed to give a voice to professional women in and around Thetford, the event was organised by the town's Women in Business (WIB) Forum and catered for all from women to running their own businesses to those working for nearby companies.

Mrs Currie, former junior health minister and MP turned author, said networking events were important to encourage women into the business arena.

“Business is hard, taking responsibility for paying the bills, for employing staff and dealing with customers, and it isn't for everybody but if you are successful the rewards are tremendous,” she said.

“In rural areas like this people have big distances to cover but on the other hand every farm is a business. Every farmer understands how to balance the books and a lot of them are women.”

The aim of the Christmas business event, held at Lynford Hall near Mundford, was to encourage women to maximise their potential while meeting a variety of colleagues and counterparts.

Chris Sanderson, a tile designer from her home on Castle Street in Thetford, said: “I think there are still some situations where women aren't taken quite as seriously as men. Things are improving but I think it's important to get together at these kinds of things.”