A NORTH-East entrepreneur who set up an Internet-based accommodation service has added another award to her string of successes.

Gill Chapple won the Shine Award for Women in Travel and Tourism at a presentation in London.

The 25-year-old is one of the founders of Bedsearcher.com, based in Darlington, and has already won awards for innovation and business.

Ms Chapple, a Durham University graduate, said: "The travel and tourism sector is extremely competitive and to be recognised above global brands such as Hilton and ebookers is a landmark for us and really shows what a small company can achieve."

Bedsearcher, which is expected to make more than £40m of bookings this year, books everything from budget hostel rooms to five-star hotels.