THE time where power tools were a man's domain is over.

Businesswoman Hafida Sarachi has launched a series of workshops to teach women how to do all those jobs men never get round to.

Hafida, of Wootton Bassett, gave up her job in IT to start her HandyGirl business a year ago and is starting monthly workshops to give Swindon's women all the advice they need to tackle even the biggest building jobs.

Award-winning businesswoman Hafida gave a demonstration to women at the Barnfield B&Q store yesterday.

"This is really about empowering women to feel confident in basic DIY skills," she said.

"Research has shown that DIY has become more female.

"We'll be going through all sorts of different things in the workshops, from building flat-pack furniture, and painting to putting up shelves and tackling bigger jobs.

"For many of the people taking part it will just be for their own enjoyment, but it could inspire some to build a career round it.

"I think it still shows that even a small business like mine can work together with a big national company like B&Q."

B&Q service manager Chris Chapman said: "In most households the ladies hold the purse strings and decide which colour to paint the walls.

"We thought it was a great opportunity to get involved in the community and promote what Hafida is doing.

"Our stores have already been swaying more towards female shoppers, by changing the layout and shelving and introducing more homeware."

June Stewart, 63, of Haydon Wick and her granddaughter Bella West, 18, from Walcot, decided to learn some new skills together.

"I asked my husband so many times to put some holes in the walls for tie backs," said June.

"He didn't. So I started it."

"When you go into DIY shops as a woman they ask you if you need any help like you don't know what you are doing there.

"I wanted to learn to do things for myself."

Bella said: "I've just got a place of my own so it would be nice to be able to sort things out for myself."

Jenny Whyte, 54, of Grange Park, has already taken a course in car mechanics and said she hopes to master bricklaying next.

"I don't think there is any job too big for me to have a go at," she said.

"Me and a friend were on our own and thought it was lime to take matters into our own hands."

Pauline Sinkins, who travelled from Bath for the launch of the workshops, said: "If I ask my husband for advice on how to do things then he just takes over. I'd like to do some basic things myself."

HandyGirl workshops will be held monthly at B&Q.

Hafida is asking for people interested in taking part to suggest their preferred times for classes.

For more information or to book a place at any of the workshops call 01793 855505 or visit the website which can be found at www.handygirl.biz.