A NETWORKING group launched four years ago for professional women across the Aire Valley is going from strength to strength.

Keighley solicitors AWB Charlesworth and NatWest bank set-up Women@Work as a forum for meeting and sharing ideas.

Referrals have seen membership soar and the group has 2,000 followers on Twitter.

Its latest event attracted about 60 people.

Members headed to Keelham Farm Shop in Skipton for their summer gathering.

The shop celebrated its first birthday last month, and co-founder Victoria Robertshaw spoke about her own journey in business and how the whole Keelham Farm enterprise had developed over the years.

Guests enjoyed risotto and homemade desserts and the farm shop extended its opening hours to enable members to buy items.

"It was fantastic to meet so many female entrepreneurs working in the Aire Valley and to have a forum where we could share our experiences and support one another," said Mrs Robertshaw.

"The event was also a great opportunity to tell Keelham's story and guests could see for themselves the fruits of our labours.

"I'd like to thank everyone who came along, as we had some really lovely feedback on both the event and the shop."

Felicity Green, practice manager at AWB Charlesworth, paid tribute to the Keelham team for hosting the evening.

Liz Smith, relationship manager at NatWest, said: "I am passionate about supporting local businesses and the Women@Work events are a great way of doing this.

"It was fantastic to see 60 business owners and professionals coming together to share knowledge and support each other. And the brilliant presentation from Victoria made for a great evening.

"Keelham seemed like the perfect choice for the summer gathering, following the farm shop's first birthday celebrations."

Women@Work meets about four times a year, at different venues.

Last September more than 30 guests gathered at Cobbles and Clay cafe in Haworth, where owner and guest speaker Jill Ross served-up a range of home-cooked dishes and cakes.

The next event is in the autumn.

E-mail melanie.crewe@awbclaw.co.uk, search for the Women@Work Aire Valley Linkedin group online or follow @wawairevalley on Twitter for more details about the group.