AN impressive 17 Cumbrian businesses have made it through to the final of the North West women in business awards.

A special panel spent weeks deliberating before making crucial decisions to complete the finalist shortlists for the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs).

The awards received a record amount of entries, soaring into the hundreds and competition across the 16 categories is extremely tough.

More than 100 businesses from across the North West have reached the finals with the areas of Cumbria seeing 17 go through.

The finalists are: Amanda Ryan, of Social Elf, Carlisle for Solo Business, Angela Black, of AB Accountancy, Solutions for Financial Services, Samantha Gargett, of Elton Finance for Financial Services, Gina Pennington, of Penningtons Tea & Coffee Ltd, Kendal for Retail Business, Michelle Partington, of Shelly’s Drinks Ltd, Holme for Retail Business, Susan Robinson, of Nanny Brow, Ambleside for Hospitality Industry, Faye Ramsey, of Porto Restaurant, Windermere for Hospitality Industry, Jules Natlacen, of The Churchmouse at Barbon, Barbon for Hospitality Industry, Yvonne Gainford, of Culinaryocassions, Workington for Hospitality Industry, Amy Onyango and Claire Mansfield, of Felltarn Friends, Kendal for Small Business, Alison Magee-Baker, of AJ Lakes Consultancy, Windermere for Professional Services, Alison Tordoff, of Fidget Design, Windermere for Creative Industry, Rebecca Watson, of Rebecca Watson Design & Marketing, Aspatria for Creative Industry, Nici Hewitson, of One Little Bird, Cockermouth for Professional Services and Tracy Johnson and Lisa Jackson, of The Sugar Shed, Holme for Internet Industry.

Each of the finalists will now present and face a panel of judges before the winners are announced on September 28, at an awards ceremony that will be held at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Launched back in 2011, the EVAs provide women across the North West with the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements in business.

The EVAs judging process is a mix of public nomination, a round of judging and an interview.

Public votes can be cast at www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk, from August 20.