A ONE-WOMAN internet shoe business based in York literally has a foot in the door when it comes to one of Britain's biggest "e-tailing" honours.

Frances Chalmers, director of exclusivefootwear.com which has its warehouse and showroom in Gillygate, is one of four finalists whittled down from a shortlist of 40 at the Draper's Record E-Retailer Of The Year awards at the London Hilton in Park Lane on May 16.

She will be going head-to- head with large high street retail chains such as Asos, Dune and Accessory Boutiques.

Frances has clearly already wowed the judges with her story of never-say-die determination to be a new mother and successful businesswoman at the same time, a grit that has seen her tripling sales month on month, with her first year's takings at about £200,000.

Frances, a former high-flying technical sales consultant who left software company Shopcreator Developments in Leeds to have a baby, said: "I can hardly believe that I'm in the top four in the country. It's been a whirlwind.

A week before her son, Alexander, was born, she devised her plan to operate a successful venture from home. "I even found a name for it before I found a name for my baby!" she laughs.

But she met a lot of resistance in her early attempts to sell over the internet high-end ladies and men's designer shoes, as well as handbags and accessories.

Frances, who describes herself as "a Geordie girl, born and bred," said: "Every shoe designer I approached told me to sling my hook.

"They would loftily ask me which architect was designing my stores, but there were no stores - just me and a little baby on my knee.

"Eventually I could stand it no longer. I organised a meeting with designers in London and said: Exclusive Footwear is going somewhere. Either get on board or be left out.' "I came home having signed deals with Oliver Sweeney, Gina, Moschino and Beatrix Ong and since then I have acquired another ten brands."

But she did make one concession - to the logic of having a real retail outlet, moving into her Gillygatye shop which served as a warehouse from where she could process her stock and sell to the public at the same time. Her shoes range from £30 Geox Italian trainers to £435 high-heeled crystal shoes by Gina.

She admits a personal weakness for shoes. "I have about 30 pairs, but I also like handbags. I own four or five which cost more than £600."