ONE of the winners of the CN Group Business Awards says the publicity has helped her business to grow.

Sally Phillips, of Cockermouth, set up Chimney Sheep four years ago making draught excluders for chimneys from Cumbrian Herdwick wool.

Since then she has sold 30,000 units, 10,000 in the last 12 months, and now operates from an industrial unit in Maryport.

Her business, Chimney Sheep, won the 'innovation' category at the CN Group Business Awards in October.

She said:”It really raises your profile. Not only have more people heard of us but it also makes us an award-winning company, which really pushes up our status.

“We’re trying to get recognition from the insulation regulator and the award certainly helps with that. It instils confidence in our product."

The awards are run by CN Group, publisher of the News & Star. Entries for this year's awards close on August 1.

They are free to enter and open to any business trading in Cumbria. All shortlisted entries receive coverage in CN Group newspapers and websites and finalists get two complimentary tickets for the awards dinner on October 20.

Enter online – at www.cnbusinessawards.co.uk – alternatively, email businessawards@cnmedia.co.uk or call Megan Norwood on 01228 612231.