The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions spoke to women at a conference aimed at empowering single parents.

Women of Power, organised by charity STORM Empowerment, gave awards to inspirational women and featured a host of guest speakers.

The event was the first of its kind and the charity's founder Marie Hanson now wants the conference to become an annual event.

Hundreds of women from a wide variety of different backgrounds flocked to the civic suite in Wandsworth Town Hall in Wandsworth High Street yesterday.

Speakers at the event included former gang member Chris Preddie OBE, who spoke about issues faced by young people involved in gang crime.

Councillor Claudia Webbe, chairman of Operation Trident, spoke about how women needed to involve themselves in politics.

MP Jane Ellison, council leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia and the mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jane Cooper, also addressed the conference.

STORM students gave testimonials about their experiences.

Iain Duncan Smith, MP gave out awards to inspirational women and people who completed work and training schemes in Debenhams, Waitrose and Winkworth.

He said: "People grow up without any sense and think they can't achieve these things, but they can if there is hard work and someone working with them.

"There are women who have no sense of self-belief, who think they can't achieve anything.

"You should never believe you can't do it because of where you come from and because you are a woman."

Women of Power awards were given out to Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, for her "anything is possible" attitude, and STORM member Tina Cowles, who battled with anxiety and was scared to leave her house before working with the charity.

Marie Hanson, who comes from Battersea and won a Balham and Tooting Community Association award last month for her work with the charity, said: "It has been successful, we are planning on having another one next year.

"The women that came have been inspirational. It has made people go away with a different outlook on life."

People attending the conference were able to speak to stall holders providing information on issues affecting women including employment, domestic violence and mental health.

STORM Empowerment is a community group formed in 2004 to help empower single mums and get them back into education and employment.

For more information visit stormempowerment.com