A GLASSWARE designer from Horwich has won an award for the way she has sculpted her business future.

Sarah Walmsley was one of 200 North-west entrepreneurs graduating from the New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) programme.

As well as graduating from the University of Central Lancashire's New Entrepreneur course, Sarah, of glassware design company Cool Liquid, was also a winner of the Business Competition.

And the graduates' efforts were praised by Farnworth-born former Bolton Evening News columnist and celebrity chef Paul Heathcote, who was guest speaker.

Sarah takes commissions and guarantees contemporary designs and individual work, from paperweights to sculptural pieces, recently designing prizes for the Red Rose Awards which recognise outstanding contribution to the community.

The judges were particularly impressed with Sarah's tenacity and enthusiasm, and for creating a business with a strong commitment to her local community.

Sarah graduated from the University of Central Lancashire's NES course, and launched her business hand blowing glass to make unique gifts and objects d'art.

She will use the prize money to develop a website.

But she said: "This award means more than just money. It shows a belief in my business. I'm really pleased to get the award and for the opportunity to be on NES in the first place."

A total of 579 people in the region have successfully completed the NES programme and have gone on to set up their own businesses.

They have been backed by more than £3.8 million in government funding which has come in to the North-west to support the NES scholarships for local entrepreneurs.

Scholars include people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience such as school leavers, pensioners, single parents, women returning to work, people changing careers, people from ethnic minorities, ex-offenders, people who have a disability and those made redundant.

Mr Heathcote, of Simply Heathcotes, gave an inspiring talk to the entrepreneurs about setting up and running a successful business.

The chef, who trained at Bolton Community College, started with just one restaurant and four staff at the age of 29. He now runs ten restaurants in the region with six more planned this year, as well as an outside catering company employing 2000 staff.

He has a string of professional awards and accolades including the Egon Ronay Chef of the Year, the Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year, the Catey Award for Independent Restaurateur of the Year - and "one of the best restaurants in the world" by the Charles Heidsieck Champagne Guide.

He was also voted 2001's Most Influential Individual by Theme Bar & Restaurant Magazine.

Mr Heathcote recently announced that he is to open a restaurant in Bolton by the end of this year.

He is looking at two sites in the town as part of expansion plans for his pizza, pasta bar and grill brand, The Olive Press. The brand opened in Preston in November 2002, quickly followed by further branches in Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington.

NES regional director Kevin Boles said: "NES helps people who traditionally face the most barriers when it comes to starting their own businesses.

"It is inspiring to see scholars show remarkable dedication and commitment to acquiring new skills and fulfilling their ambitions to work for themselves."