AN ambitious couple who set up a business just 18 months ago have scooped a prestigious award.

Michael and Michelle Whitefoot's Hartlebury-based records management firm Whitefoot-Forward has been named New Business Start-Up of the Year by Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the two counties' chamber of commerce.

Some 30 firms competed for the prize which is given to a young company showing the best all-round business merit and contribution to the regional economy.

Co-director Mr Whitefoot said: "This award means a great deal to us as a relatively new enterprise - it's wonderful to have our efforts recognised in such a positive way."

Whitefoot-Forward, which employs four full-time staff and stores a variety of clients' documents at its warehouse, aims to become a regional storage network.