THE managing director of a County Durham business has turned tipster to bring a prize in a national competition to the North-East.

Glen Welford's tip on improving business performance won the boss of Powder and Liquid Products (PLP), in Consett, a three-day leadership and business development course at the Cranfield Business School, next month.

His advice will also be included in a booklet containing the best competition entries. Mr Welford won the prize for the Northern region in the Investors in People UK Tipped for Success awards.

He said: "I entered because I was attracted by the Cranfield course, so I'm very pleased to have won."

In the past 15 years, PLP has expanded steadily and has seen its household laundry detergents and cleaning products become established in the UK and abroad.

Olympic athlete Roger Black presented the award, in London.