A WORCESTER husband and wife team who run an eco-bag company have outperformed hundreds of entrepreneurs to be named a winner in the 2008 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards Michele and Justin Chieffo, who started Be Eco UK last year, are now hoping to scoop the top title and walk away with a cheque for £50,000.

Under pressure from their son Luc to reduce the household reliance on plastic carrier bags, the couple, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, came up with a solution that is commercially, as well as environmentally, sustainable.

Be Eco was launched in May last year, producing a range of re-usable bags including the Be Eco bag, a small fabric container that holds up to 30 disposable or re-usable carriers.

The concept met with immediate interest from a major supermarket, followed by other high street retailers, department and grocery stores. An appearance on the television series Tycoon brought further success and the company has continued to develop new products to meet its customers’ growing needs.

Mr Chieffo said: “Now we have our sights set on the American market, with the giant Walmart as an initial target.”

Be Eco UK is one of 10 companies battling it out to represent the Midlands region in the national finals to find the most promising start-up businesses in the UK.

The overall winner will be revealed at a gala dinner at London’s Dorchester Hotel on October 29. A cheque for £5,000 will also be presented to the business scooping the green award, demonstrating that it is putting the environment at the top of its business agenda.