Nine young west Cumbrians have been celebrated for their entrepreneurial efforts.

The achievements of these entrepreneurs, aged between 15 and 25, were recognised at an event in Whitehaven.

All nine took part in the Positive Enterprise programme, an initiative from Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) aimed at helping young people start their own businesses.

Each entrepreneur was awarded a £1,000 grant at the beginning of the year, alongside mentoring from an experienced businessperson and skills and leadership development opportunities.

Some of the participants in the scheme who created their own businessesSome of the participants in the scheme who created their own businesses (Image: Jenny Woolgar Photography)

At the celebration event held at Whitehaven Civic Hall, the entrepreneurs presented their business ideas, discussing their successes and challenges faced.

Amongst them, 16-year-old Chloe Pennington from Whitehaven won an additional £1,000 for her presentation on her business, Chloe's Chateau.

Chloe transforms her own hand-drawn artwork - based on scenes from west Cumbria and beyond - into prints and merchandise to sell.

Chloe said: "Being on the programme with so many brilliant young participants, that have now become friends, is a privilege that I am so very grateful for and one that any young person would benefit hugely from.

"It's endorsed my belief that if you want something badly enough, with a lot of hard work and a little bit of help from your friends, it's absolutely achievable."

Jackson Slack was highly commended for his business ideaJackson Slack was highly commended for his business idea (Image: Jenny Woolgar Photography)

Runner-up Jackson Slack, 17, of Silloth, owns Football Fluidity, offering 1-2-1 football coaching.

He said: "I thought of the idea last year but the Positive Enterprise grant was the catalyst for the business.

"I wouldn't have been able to afford everything I needed without it. Equipment, insurance, first aid kit, goals – everything adds up."

Scott Sharpe, 21, from Whitehaven sells vintage clothing and upcycled items under White Horse Vintage whilst Aaron Groggins, 22 and from Whitehaven, runs Lakeland Life a market-style festival events promoting food, drink and sustainability.

Seascale's Haidee Trohear, 17, creates decorated glasses and glass bottles under Glaxto.

At the event, David Beeby, chairperson of Cumbria Community Foundation, commended the efforts of all participants and said: "You have all shown that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking here in West Cumbria."