A KENDAL children's clothing brand has received an award from one of the United Kingdom's largest business support networks.

Blade and Rose, founded by Amanda Peffer, won the International Entrepreneur Category at the Forward Ladies National Awards and Summit.

Forward Ladies is recognised as the UK's largest business support network for women in business.

Blade and Rose was set up in 2010 when Mrs Peffer recognised a gap in the market in children's clothes.

Named after her children's middle names, Harvey Blade and Issey Rose, Mrs Peffer created her own clothing line and came up with a design that would allow a nappy concept in children's leggings.

"A major component of the development was to ensure that the quality of the fabric was durable, functional and would wash well.

"I decided to embrace a design that would have unique and colourful logos on the nappy bottom of the leggings." she said "After three prototypes, I was finally happy with the end result."

Now a leading British children's clothing brand the family businesses has expanded beyond Cumbria. The brand now has stockists all over the world including Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Australia and the United States of America.

"It's thrilling to be recognised as an International brand." she said. "We are now working one new designs and products including a collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to launch Blade and Rose WWF organic leggings.

We are also planning to extend our warehouse and offices and recruit new members of staff to help our brand flourish."

"When my daughter was three months old I found myself constantly having to pull down my her dresses." she said. "I searched for tights and leggings that had a concept on the nappy bottom but found nothing on the market."