A NORTH Yorkshire businesswoman has won national acclaim for her fighting spirit and success.

Karen Kirby, business development and policy director at Indbuild, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, has been honoured with a Natwest Everywoman Award.

The awards champion women in business and celebrate women-owned enterprises in the UK.

Mrs Kirby set up Indbuild, a specialist in steel erection, wall and roof cladding, rainscreens and industrial doors and windows, in 1998.

It has worked on major developments including Yorkshire's Headingley cricket stadium, as well as many projects across the North-East.

However, in 2008, she suffered a brain haemorrhage, but fought back and returned to work to lead the company's expansion.

She said: “I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with the award and it feels amazing to be honoured like this.

“I never thought I would win, but looking around the room I thought to myself, you are good enough, and it made me realise just what a great business we have.

“Im really proud and quite humbled.”

Indbuild is holding an open day from noon on Friday, December 13, when Richmond MP and Foreign Secretary, William Hague, will officially open its new premises and mark 15 years in business.