WITH just a short time of the Business Boost competition remaining, one Cumbrian video firm hopes to use it to strengthen its reputation and build its success.

Lakeland Media, which carries out corporate video and photography projects, was set up in 2007 but renamed and rebranded just more than a year ago after its founder suffered a period of illness.

The last 12 months has seen the Old Hutton-based business go from strength to strength but the owner of the business want to see it flourish further.

The firm, which is based in has entered The Cumberland News' Business Boost competition to try and achieve this.

Founder, Richard Mcleod, said: “I didn’t expect us to come bounding back in the way that we have done, so it’s been a good and productive 12 months for us.

“We are looking to get as much help as possible to give us a marketing edge right now, even though we’ve got a great team and are creative in our outlook, we fail to market our own company properly.

“We can do an amazing job for other people, but we forget about our own business and it would be great to have someone come on board, help us and give us the boost that we need.”

The business is now working globally.

It collaborated with the Department for International Trade in Manchester and even has production crew based in the United States of America carrying out projects for the firm.

This is the fourth year that CN Group, publishers of the News & Star, The Cumberland News, The Whitehaven News, the Times & Star and the North West Evening Mail, has run the Business Boost programme.

Chartered accountant Lamont Pridmore and law firm Bendles Solicitors will offer free advertising, mentoring and support to enterprises which show growth potential as part of the initiative.

A total of six businesses will win £10,000 to spend on advertising in our newspapers and associated websites – there will be one winner from each category for north, west and south Cumbria.

Lamont Pridmore will also offer an additional special sponsors' prize of free consultancy support to a business that it feels will benefit particularly.

It is also offering finalists a copy of its book, 57 Ways to Grow Your Business, the help sheet What Makes a Successful Business and the booklet Competitiveness – How the Best UK Companies are Winning.

Applications are invited in two categories. One for new businesses up to five years old, and one for established businesses of any age with fewer than 250 employees.

A total of six businesses will win £10,000 to spend on advertising in our newspapers and associated websites – there will be one winner from each category for north, west and south Cumbria.

To enter visit www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/businessboost. Entries must be received by Friday, March 31.