WHEN the games console belonging to Karen Meakin's youngest son broke, she could not afford to buy him a new one.

Instead, the single mum-of-three decided to try to fix the Xbox machine herself – despite the fact that she knew nothing about electronics.

After scouring the internet, she found the information she needed to mend it.

She saved herself the cost of a new one and it gave her an idea for a business.

Until that point, Karen, 34, from South Normanton had been living on benefits to support her three children, Chloe, 10, Taz, six and Leon, five.

She said: "When Leon's game console broke, I couldn't really afford to pay someone else to mend it, let alone buy him a replacement.

"It was a bit of a nightmare to fix but, when we finally did it, I thought that the idea might make a business.

"Soon afterwards, a few friends asked if I could fix their consoles and it took off from there."

Karen has now set up her own business, called XBox360 Repair Services.

The business is expanding fast and she has recently taken premises in High Street, South Normanton, employing two staff.

She said: "We specialise in repairing Xboxes but we have also branched out into mending other consoles.

"I'm amazed with myself as I am more or less self-taught, although eventually I am looking to become Microsoft-approved.

"Business is really good at the moment. Microsoft is now selling Xboxes with three-year warranties but, in many cases, people are not using them because of the time it takes for the machines to be repaired. So, instead, they come to us."

Karen also believes that the impact of the credit crunch is also helping her business.

She said: "Money is tight for a lot of people. So when games consoles break, instead of buying new ones, people will look to get the old ones repaired. That's how it started for me."

Karen was launched her firm with the help of Gill Sheldon, an adviser at the Alfreton branch of JobCentre Plus.

She helped Karen put together a business plan and put her in touch with Bizz Fizz, an organisation that helps new businesses.

Bizz Fizz supported Karen in getting her venture off the ground by helping her cut the cost of setting up a website.

Karen said "It's quite daunting setting up your own business but I received great support. Without this level of support, I'd still be on benefits."

Ms Sheldon said: "Karen is a very motivated person. She came to me with an idea but not the means to put that idea into practice.

"By using the incentives that are offered through Jobcentre Plus, I was able to give her the start she needed. That's what I come to work for."

Any single parents looking for advice about returning to work should contact their nearest Jobcentre and ask to see a lone-parent adviser.