The tradition of giving presents at Christmas and chronic back pain don’t, at first glance, appear to have much in common.

Yet in the case of Shrewsbury’s Heather Williams they combined to set her on the road to running her own business.

And what a success it’s turning out to be.

Heather worked for many years as a kitchen assistant at the Old Three Pigeons restaurant at Nesscliffe, then at Shrewsbury School.

She was then restaurant manager at Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd at Shawbury.

However a back problem, which developed in 2005, became more severe and eight-hour shifts, spent mostly standing, were increasingly unbearable.

The condition worsened when Heather gave birth, although the result was wonderful in the shape of daughter Millicent, who is now two.

Christmas 2006 led to another wonderful, if unexpected, result. Heather made pots of high-quality jams and pickles to give to family members as festive gifts.

“I made too many, though, and it was suggested that I try selling a few at market. They seem to go well and I thought I might be able to take it further,” she recalls.

She decided to take the plunge and set up her business, Heather’s Harvest, specialising in using fresh produce to create chutneys and fruit butters which she sold at farmers’ markets and such events in the county.

“The trouble was I had no idea of pricing or things like that. I can cook until the cows come home but I’m not very good at the business side of things,” says Heather.

She felt she needed help and advice and approached the Jobcentre Plus programme, New Deal for Disabled People, which also caters for people on Incapacity Benefit.

The programme, run locally by Shropshire County Training, provides advice, guidance and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and health conditions.

County Training assisted Heather with marketing activities and provided encouragement, information, advice and guidance as well as assisting in business start-up costs.

Gary Dixon, employment manager from County Training, explains: “Heather had already produced a quality product that should hold its own in a competitive marketplace. We worked together and produced a simple business plan and pricing policy. We also addressed food hygiene guidelines.

“Heather has worked hard and her small beginnings are now bearing fruit.”

Heather began trading on May 4 last year under the permitted work programme. Trade began to pick up through markets and a number of contract deliveries at specialist food outlets locally. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength.

In November 2007, Heather secured contracts at several local outlets as well as escalating a bank of customers at Shrewsbury farmers’ market.

Heather’s Harvest products are on sale at the likes of Dobbies delicatessen, Churncote Farm, Maynard’s Farm Shop, Stepford Farm next to the A49 and Wild Thyme store in Shrewsbury. They also feature on the menu at Rock Cottage in south Shropshire.

Heather has also moved into the mail order sector, expanding her business horizons. Due to the high demand for her products, she is now working full-time – a real testament to her success.

Heather adds: “I was very nervous when I started out but now I am very proud of what I’ve achieved.”

It is an exciting new chapter in the story of former Priory School girl Heather Quicke, who left Shrewsbury to study at Eastbourne Arts and Technology College on the Sussex coast before returning to Shropshire and marrying former school friend Dominic Williams.

Her business venture has come a long way in a relatively short time.

She adds: “I am grateful to County Training for everything they have helped me with. Without their assistance, start up would have been far more difficult.”

Councillor Barbara Craig, cabinet member for community services, says other people like Heather, with business ideas and drive, could find support from the county council.

“County Training helps not only to support people into work, but also encourages them to follow their own business ideas, offering advice and guidance along the way.

“Heather is a great example of how County Training can assist someone to follow their ambition.”

County Training is a self-funding business unit of Shropshire County Council. Established for over 20 years it is Shropshire’s largest training provider with over 3,000 learners. It has seven training centres throughout the county, at Shrewsbury, Telford, Ludlow, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Oswestry and the industrial training centre at Hortonwood, Telford.

Occupational areas covered include customer service, business administration, childcare, catering and hospitality, ICT, warehousing, forklift, retail, health and social care. County Training also specialises in health and safety and bespoke management training.

* If you would like any further information concerning County Training please contact 01743 255151.