A DAVENHAM entrepreneur wowed judges with her online children's store to win expert business advice along with a cash prize.

Mum-of-two and former teacher Jade Hargreaves came out on top in this year's Salters' Den competition after impressing judges with an impressive presentation.

Her pitch scored her £2,500 – as well as 12 months of financial and legal advice – to boost her business Learning Bugs, launched in March this year.

Jade said: “I feel so lucky to have won the competition out of so many amazing applicants.

"It’s such a brilliant opportunity for businesses like mine to put themselves forward and benefit from such professional support. I’m looking forward to 2020 and putting my plans in place for taking Learning Bugs to the next step”.

Seeking more flexible hours to spend time with family, Jade set up Learning Bugs as an online store selling ethically sourced and eco-friendly toys, décor and furniture.

The website also boasts stories, blogs, features and videos to highlight learning-through-play for the products on sale.

The judges were impressed by Jade’s presentation in the den, where she was able to show growth in all areas of the business from sales to social media.

Chris Smith, head of business services at Howard Worth, said: “For someone just starting out with their business, Jade showed us that she is a true entrepreneur and demonstrated great business acumen. Her innovative sales approach and understanding of her target market have enabled her to achieve a great deal in a short space of time.

"All the judges felt Jade was a deserving winner and are looking forward to seeing how she develops the business in the coming years."

Second place in the competition went to Woodspring, which makes handcrafted homewares with environmentally friendly ethics at its core.

Muscles and Curves, a pole fitness business which links together improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, was third.

Salters' Den was launched in 2015 by Howard Worth Chartered Accountants and business advisors, Mosshaselhurst Solicitors, NatWest, and Cheshire West and Chester Council to find and support exciting business ideas in Northwich and Winsford.