A GLASS designer who combines artistic talent with a head for business has won an award.

Joanne Mitchell, 26, who lives in Tudhoe, near Spennymoor, and works from the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, has been named County Durham's Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

She collected a cheque for £300 and business software worth £150 at a final held in Peterlee and organised by Business Link County Durham. A regional final is being held in Newcastle in May.

Miss Mitchell followed an arts foundation course with a degree in three dimensional design and then an MA specialising in glass design. She spent two years working with craftspeople at Edinburgh Crystal, creating innovative pieces aimed at the modern market.

She said: "I had so many ideas that I wanted to pursue so decided the time was right to set up on my own.

"I have had great support from Business Link, my local enterprise agency and The Prince's Trust with funding, marketing and general advice. There is a lot of help out there for people who are keen to set up a business and I would encourage anyone to take advantage of it."

Mick Wood, enterprise manager for Business Link County Durham, said: "We are always keen to encourage young people to consider self-employment as an option and all three finalists have demonstrated how successful young entrepreneurs can be."

The other finalists were 26-year-old photographer Stephen Landles, who has a studio in Durham City, and Adam Chetter, 23, from Derwentside, who runs the Genius Entertainment agency.