WEARSIDE firm i2B is this year's North-East winner of the Prince's Trust Business Awards.

The Sunderland firm, which provides and delivers electronic management solutions, was one of nine in the region shortlisted for the award.

The runner-up was Lisa Bell, who runs Bell's Barber Shop, in Gateshead.

Hilary Kinnair and Philip Tompkinson, proprietors of i2B, were presented with a cheque for £500 by Dr Bob Dobbie, regional director of the Government Office for the North-East, at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, in Chester-le-Street.

They go on to the national awards in London in the spring, where they have a chance of bringing back the £4,000 first prize to the region.

Hilary and Philip set up i2B, which means "information to business", with a Prince's Trust loan of £4,250 and a grant of £750 in January.

They have developed a software application called eSRM, which enables big firms to interact more efficiently with their suppliers, using web technology.

It gives suppliers access via the web to their customer's key procurement information, from purchase orders to vendor rating.

The Prince's Trust awards, sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, recognise businesses that have achieved success over the past three years with support from the organisation.

Companies nominated for the awards were judged on their customer and sales tactics, budgetary management skills and innovation.

Dr Dobbie, chairman of the judging panel, said: "All the young entrepreneurs shortlisted for the awards have demonstrated commitment and determination to succeed, sometimes against the odds, and for this they should be congratulated."

Mike O'Hara, area business manager for The Royal Bank of Scotland, added: "The quality of business entering the awards in the North-East has been very high, with a number of exceptionally innovative and successful businesses vying for the top position.

"Hilary Kinnair and Philip Tompkinson of i2B have put a great deal of drive, enterprise and innovation into their business and are deserving winners."

Others shortlisted included: Durham City's Bear Bottoms, run by Joanne McDonald; Houseproud Domestic, of Hartlepool; Artsang Fashions International, of Newcastle; Gecko Design Marketing, of Newcastle, run by Andy Greener and Ben Trennery; David Clint, a gardener from Gateshead; Angeltek cleaning services, of Wallsend, and Newcastle tree cultivator James Richardson