A SELF-HEALING and personal development consultant in Darlington has won a competition for a year’s free office space.

Kate Schott runs Enlightened Living to help people transform their lives using the new selfhealing Metamorphic Technique.

She is the only practitioner in County Durham.

Mrs Schott, a former flight attendant, moved into the alternative therapy after becoming the owner of a bed and breakfast in Thirsk.

She won the Strictly New Business challenge which offered a year’s free office space at Darlington’s Lingfield Point Business Park.

She also won office insurance from Henderson Insurance Brokers and free business financial advice from Arlington Financial.

Judges praised her enthusiasm and business acumen.

Mrs Schott, who previously worked from home, said: “Winning the competition will enable me to have a base, somewhere I can bring customers to and build my empire from.

“I know that Lingfield Point is going to be a pioneering, sustainable new community and I believe the work I do will fit perfectly with, and be a benefit to, that community.”

Strictly New Business was open to new business ideas or existing businesses that have been trading for less than 24 months.

John Orchard, one of the judges and director of Marchday, which owns Lingfield Point, said: “We are excited about the prospect of welcoming Kate as a client and helping her business to flourish and grow.”

Mrs Schott, who also has a partnership with Darlington’s Cocoon beauty salon to offer her Metamorphic Technique, beat two other shortlisted finalists.

They were Jeremy and Rebecca Scally, who run IT company BigLittle Fish, and Human Potential Matrix Services, run by Heather Carter, which promotes mental health and emotional wellbeing in business.