A WOMAN who created a device for paper-crafting enthusiasts has been named the country’s best young entrepreneur.

Sara Davies, of Crafter’s Companion, has been named Ernst and Young UK Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Ms Davies, from Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, was presented with her award in at The Park Lane Hilton Hotel, in London, this week.

She started her business designing and manufacturing paper-crafting products from her university bedroom with no outside investment.

One of the first ideas she created was the original crafter’s companion, an all-inone carry case allowing papercrafting enthusiasts to score, measure, trim, emboss and embellish to create their own cards, boxes and envelopes In four years, she has built the company to a £4m turnover and employs 20 staff.

Mark Hatton, Newcastle senior partner at Ernst and Young, said: “The judges described Sara as a true star of the future. They were impressed by her drive and passion with youth, energy and gumption.”