TWO women have got together to offer psychic and pamper parties - and business has never been better.

Karen Kilminster and Samantha Scott became friends and then business partners after their children met at school.

Karen, who is 35, runs the Amber Retreat in Swindon Road, Stratton, while Samantha, who is 34, is a psychic medium.

Realising that they could offer something jointly and at the same time - beauty treatment and psychic readings - this would appeal to most women and they would be on a winner.

"We were first and although we have been copied we still think we are the best," said Samantha.

Like the other simple party plan methods the duo go to people's homes where clients pay a fee and get beauty therapy treatment from Karen and a reading from Samantha.

It costs £20 per person and the maximum people they can accommodate in a session is a dozen.

The two women are not from Swindon but came here independtly some years ago.

Karen is from Devon and Samantha comes from Newbury.

They were both doing jobs which they didn't especially like so Karen decided to study beauty therapy while Samantha pursued a talent which she had inherited from both her parents and her grandmother on her mother's side.

"In fact my family came from Romany stock and my grandmother was known Gypsy Rose Ball and did readings.

"I've always had this gift. But there are a lot of fakes out there so you must be careful."

The two women both have children- Karen has two boys and Samantha has two girls - and as well as running the parties they have a variety of other skills.

Karen has a log cabin at her home where she offers a variety of beauty treatments and she also teaches and runs workshops and classes.

She encourages people to set up as therapists and market their skills.

She will organise workshops which cover reflexology, holistic living and massage.

The courses are held at either the Amber Retreat or at Swindon College.

There is a hectic prorgramme planned for 2007. Samantha is a spiritual life coach and tutor and she is available for private consultations, mediumship demonstrations.

She attends both colleges and women's club where she does motivational speaking.

"It is important that everything we do is of the highest quality," said Karen.

"When we run these parties we also want people to enjoy themselves and tell their friends how good they are.

"If we don't have high quality then we won't continue being successful."

For more information contact Karen on 01793 821501 or Samantha on 01793 825565.

The respective web sites are www.theamberretreat.co.uk and www.heavensentdirect.com.