TWO businesswomen with more than 20 years experience have teamed up to open a new business.

Sara Bennett, who has worked in every area of financial services and property services since 1996, and Kelly Hope, who has years of experience as a legal secretary, launched Charles Derby Estates Wear Valley on Thursday, March 12.

The franchise business, on Hope Street, Crook, offers an estate agency service for people looking to buy, sell or rent a property along with other financial services including mortgage advice, protection products, insurance and will writing.

In the first year of the business, the pair will raise funds for The Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland which provides palliative care services to the Durham Dales and Sedgefield areas at the hospice, in patients' homes and in community hospitals.

Julie Bell of the Quarry Burn, in Hunwick, provided refreshments at the launch event and local singer songwriter Connor Pattison provided entertainment.