A COMPANY who brought the bounce back to Bolton were gobsmacked to win their first award.

Air Vault Trampoline Park scooped the first award of the evening for Start Up Business of the Year and owner Mark Denison couldn't believe it.

He said: "Not for one minute did I think we were going to win, we were just happy to be nominated.

"We are absolutely delighted to have won."

They fought off stiff competition from Mugpods and Qualitas Medical Supplies to win.

Air Vault was opened last year on Wingates Industrial Park and was the joint dream of Mark and Andrew Caldwell, two Bolton dads with young families.

Despite living opposite each other they only connected after meeting on the local playground.

After Andrew's wife Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 it prompted Andrew to consider a career change from his accountancy career.

Mark's wife, Catherine, a nurse, met Louise for coffee while she was going through her chemotherapy and their chats and friendship resulted in their husbands deciding to set up their own company, Active Entertainment.

The pair both saw the potential of the American craze of trampoline parks and after deciding on the idea in February 2015 they opened in October 2015.

Andrew said: "Air Vault is something that we are very proud of. As local people, we believe we have provided a facility that has enhanced the local area and hope that it will continue to do so for many years to come."

The attraction has proved to be an immediate success offering a wide variety of trampoline-based activities including free jumping, foam pit, slam-dunk basketball, dodge-ball parties and more.

Mark said: "From the first decision to go ahead with the business to inception it only took eight months which I think is pretty good.

"We have fabulous staff who have really great interaction with every single customer. We are both Bolton parents and we have put our heart and souls in to it so to be recognised with an award it just amazing. It will take a while to sink in."