THE Federation of Small Businesses in Wiltshire has welcomed a new study of small to medium-sized enterprises which has revealed that record numbers of British women are setting up businesses.

The figures, released by the Department of Trade and Industry-funded Global Enterprise Monitor, suggest that the gap between men and women starting their own ventures is closing.

For every 100 male entrepreneurs, 46 women set up their own firm in 2004, the report said, and 177,000 women started a business last year.

The figures tally with the FSB's 2004 membership survey Lifting the Barriers to Growth, which saw an increase of about 40 per cent in the number of businesses run by women.

The FSB in Wiltshire has launched Wiltshire Women in Business lunches to encourage women members to network on a regular basis.

The first, which took place last month and was sponsored by Business Link, attracted 40 women and enabled them to view exhibitions and listen to an address by leader of Wiltshire county council Jane Scott.

FSB regional chairman Marion Parker-Mortimer said: "Women are playing a leading role in so many businesses and organisations, it is important we recognise their contribution.

"The FSB is leading the way by electing a woman to the position of national chairman and I am honoured to fly the flag for women business leaders in Wiltshire.

"We have 836 women members in the county, each making a significant contribution to the economic success of Wiltshire.

"I hope this event will be the start of regular events for women I have already organised one in April, followed by an event in Salisbury in June."

The report, supported by research from Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, highlighted the fact that Britain has more entrepreneurs than Germany, France and Italy, and even more than Japan.

Jennie Brooks, business adviser at Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, said: "The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Wiltshire."

Business Link Wessex, which advises businesses in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, has received national recognition for its dynamic approach and success in supporting women going into business.

It was presented with an award for outstanding contribution to women's enterprise development at a conference earlier this year.

Last year Business Link Wessex launched its Women into Business programme and since then, 200 Dorset women have been helped to set up their own businesses.

The programme has now been extended to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.