THREE friends who established a £1m tooth whitening company have been jointly named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Best New Business Awards Tees Valley.

Tom Riley, Matthew Lloyd and Chris McPhillips, all aged 30, first went into business running the school tuck shop – today their WhiteWash Laboratories export a unique range of teeth whitening and oral care products to more than 20 countries.

Dentist Matthew, economics graduate Tom and business graduate Chris, founded the business in 2010 after spotting a gap in the growing dental supply and teeth whitening market.

Their products range from prescription- only teeth whitening strips and whitening gels to cuttingedge toothbrushes and toothpastes which reduce stains and whiten teeth.

The business, which has a sister medical supply company called VERIFY+, also has strong export sales which account for 35pc of turnover.