A MOTHER and son business partnership from south Worcestershire are in line for major regional business awards.

Zoe and James Evans of Throckmorton, near Pershore, run military style fitness operation Xtreme Boot Camps and both have been shortlisted in the Midlands Business Awards 2016. Mrs Evans is in the running for Midlands entrepreneur of the year while son James Evans is up for Midlands young entrepreneur of the year.

The pair launched the fitness business two years ago and are now running training sessions in Worcester, Evesham, Solihull, Birmingham and Stratford upon Avon as well as week-long residential boot camps that attract guests from all over the world looking for the ultimate fitness challenge. They opened the first Xtreme Gym in Stratford upon Avon in November and are already planning a second location as well as a permanent Xtreme Boot Camps residential site.

Mrs Evans, who originally trained as a barrister and spent many years working in corporations building and selling companies, said: "My experience of big corporations has been invaluable in making sure we grow the Xtreme brand and manage the finance and legal aspects correctly." James Evans studied business entrepreneurship at the University of West England and has also served as a recruit with the Royal Marines Reservists. Now a level five personal trainer and life coach, he has combined his passion for the military and fitness with business to develop a brand that is a growing force in the health and fitness world.

He said: "We work very hard and very long hours. but that is what is needed to be successful. We get things wrong sometimes, but we learn from our mistakes and get stronger for them."

The 10th annual Midlands Business Awards will be held on Friday, February 26 at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth.