A UNIVERSITY graduate who set up her business little more than a year ago has been shortlisted for an entrepreneurial award.

Charlotte Liddle set up her textile design business last January - months after she graduated from Huddersfield University.

She launched her business thanks to a start-up grant from the Prince's Trust.

In the 15 months she has been in business, she has produced and sold her innovative embroidered designs and children's collections.

The 24-year-old also says her biggest achievement is writing her first craft book, which is produced by Coats Crafts UK and will be launched next month.

Miss Liddle, from Darlington, has been nominated for the northern finals of the Shell Livewire Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

She said: "Being a designer, I often find it difficult to split my time between creative and business development.

"Getting through to the finals is a great confidence boost and proves I must be doing a good job at managing both areas."

She said both her parents were self-employed, so she had no fears about setting up her own business.

Miss Liddle and the other two finalists will attend a judging event in Manchester for a £3,000 prize and a place in the national final.