FIVE businesswomen from Cumbria have scooped top prizes at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Amy Onyango and Claire Mansfield, of Felltarn Friends, Kendal, Samantha Gargett, of Elton Business, Penrith, Alison Magee-Barker of AJ Lakes Consultancy, Windermere, and Jules Natlacen of The Churchmouse at Barbon, are now proud owners of a coveted 2018 Enterprise Vision Award (EVA).

The five fought off competition from across the North West to scoop awards for training and coaching, customer service, solo business, retail industry and outstanding achievement respectively.

Coral Horn, organiser of the awards and founder of the networking group Pink Link Ladies, said: “Our eighth year was simply superb. We had thousands of entrants and I’d say this year the awards were the most fiercely contested.”

More than 550 guests turned out to celebrate the EVAs in 16 categories in the Empress Ballroom at Blackpool s Winter Gardens.

Guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal provided by Rowley’s and were left in the more than capable hands of MC Rebecca Jane and comedian Joey Blower.

Heather Waters, of NatWest, said: “The EVAs is a truly fantastic event celebrating the success of females across the North West, and each year the standard improves.”