The owner of a year-round centre for beach sports which was severely damaged by arsonists has won a coveted national business award.

Katie Mintram, director of Yellowave Beach Sports, in Madeira Drive, Brighton, was named most inspirational woman aged between 26 and 35 running a business at the 2007 Financial Mail on Sunday/NatWest Everywoman Awards.

The awards were held at the Dorchester Hotel in London and were attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs, Government officials and senior business executives.

Supermodel and businesswoman Elle McPherson was one of the star guests at the glittering event hosted by BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce.

Katie said: "I was so chuffed to win. It was great to have all the hard work we've put in recognised with a national award.

"The ceremony was a very glamorous affair and it was cool to be stood on the same stage as Fiona Bruce and Elle McPherson."

Katie, a former competitive beach volleyball player, opened Yellowave to give people somewhere to enjoy beach sports all year round.

With no business experience she spent five years planning her venture, securing £500,000 of funding.

Yellowave opened earlier this year to great acclaim providing extensive outdoor, floodlit facilities for beach sports.

Despite the poor summer weather, the facility has proved popular with schools and business and organised sports leagues as well as disabled groups.

Yellowave could be a training base for beach volleyball teams prior to the London 2012 Olympics and Katie is looking to open similar facilities in cities across Britain.

The venue's café was severely damaged in an arson attack in October but Katie is determined to come back bigger and better.

The £500,000 complex, which includes a 1,500sqm sand pitch for activities including football, is Britain's first beach sports centre.