Enterprising Cumbrians are on the shortlist for an award which recognises women in business across the North West.

Rebecca Watson, who runs Aspatria-based Watson Design, and Alison Tordoff, of Fidget Design, in Windermere are through to the finals of the Enterprise Vision Awards.

Both have been singled out in the Creative Industry category of the competition which attracted entries from all over the region.

Rebecca focuses on graphic design for small to medium enterprises helping businesses reach their goals through design and marketing, while Fidget Design is a firm of interior architects which has worked with brands including Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Alison, company director at Fidget, said: "It is all very exciting. I have been working here for 21 years and am thrilled to have got so far in this competition."

In the field of finance, Samantha Gargett, of Elton Finance based in Penrith, is counting on success at the final.

Samantha said: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this award and incredibly proud to be representing our family business alongside other business woman from throughout the North West.”

Also through to the final in the financial sector is Angela Black, of AB Accountancy Solutions.

In the small business category Amy Onyango and Claire Mansfield, of Felltarn Friends children's craft and design company based at New Hutton near Kendal, have also won a place in the final.

Successful in professional services are hospitality and tourism consultant and trainer, Alison Magee-Barker of Windermere's AJ Lakes Consultancy and Nici Hewitson, of One Little Bird PR and Marketing Consultancy in Cockermouth.

Nici said: “I’m delighted to be shortlisted for such an amazing award. I’m incredibly proud of how much One Little Bird has grown over the years and I’m honoured that we are being recognised for the work we do for our wonderful clients.”

Gina Pennington of Kendal-based Penningtons tea and coffee specialists has secured a place in the retail business category.

She said: "I am completely overwhelmed. I have been in the coffee induatry for more than 28 years and set up on my own earlier this year. I was nominated for the awards by a customer which is quite an endorsement."

For the past three years Tracy Johnson and Lisa Jackson, of Lake District-based The Sugar Shed have been reproducing photos and messages on pieces of wood sourced from local trees.

This work has won them a place in the Internet Industry category of the awards.

In the hospitality section Susan Robinson, of Nanny Brow luxury bed and breakfast, at Clappersgate, Ambleside has won through to the final for her 14-bedroom venue which opened in 2011.

Also successful in the hospitality category are Yvonne Gainford of the county's Culinary Occasions personal chef and outdoor catering business alongside Jules Natlacen of the Churchmouse village store, deli, cheesemongers and bistro of Barbon near Kirkby Lonsdale who also has a place in the final.

Another Cumbrian, Faye Ramsey of Bowness-on-Windermere's Porto Restaurant completes the hat-trick in this section.

Solo Businesses on the shortlist include Jane Hunt of Catapult public relations agency and Amanda Ryan of virtual administration services, Social Elf which operates out of Carlisle.

The final will be held at the Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom in Blackpool on September 28.