A BLACKBURN firm staffed entirely by a husband and wife team has scooped a top business award.

Samantha and Andrew Bradshaw, from Baxenden, won the 2004 Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start for their firm, which has been in existence for only 18 months.

Samantha, 25, and Andrew, 24, run Oneighty Creative Limited, a design agency based in Eanam Wharf, Blackburn.

They beat five other firms for the title, and won £750. They will also go on to represent East Lancashire at the North West final on April 27 in Manchester.

Andrew said: "We originally started Oneighty with no loan and no plan, at the start of the structure of the business.

"I had run an agency in Manchester for three years which gave me the insight into how to run a studio, and I was made redundant and started Oneighty.

"It's absolutely gobsmacking to win. The competition was so diverse and we had no idea at all we were going to win."

To decide on the winners, who were picked out at a ceremony on Wednesday night, a judging panel had to look at each finalist's business plan as well as conducting interviews with them.

As well as the winners, other local businesses also benefited. Second place and £350 went to Jayne Robinson and Kate Metcalfe of Tootsie, a shoe retailer in Skipton. Karen Richardson, of K & A Solutions, Langho, collected £150 as third.

Runners-up were Carla McLoughlin of Peel Park out of school club, Accrington; Heather Dryden of Heather Dryden Photography, Clitheroe; and Deborah McKenna of A-Head of Time, Darwen.

They each won a meal for two at Holden Vale Conference Centre, where the awards were also held.

Aileen Evans of Hyndburn Enterprise Trust, who supported the awards, said: "The judges were very impressed by Oneighty and the business has outstanding potential. The couple's enthusiasm and ability make them both real livewires."