A LIVE poultry supplier is in the running for a national business award after triumphing in the regional heats.

Durham Hens has been shortlisted in the Microbusiness of the Year category in the Federation of Small Businesses Worldpay UK Business Awards.

The company, based in Tow Law, is one of four small businesses across the UK selected for the final, which takes place at The Globe in London on Wednesday, May 10.

The winner of each category then has a chance to be named Business of the Year and win £10,000.

Margaret Manchester, who runs Durham Hens with her husband, Alec, began to hatch chicks as a hobby ten years ago.

The business now employs six people and has won many awards, including North-East and Yorkshire Microbusiness of the Year earlier this month.

Mrs Manchester said: "It’s an honour to be selected as a finalist by the Federation of Small Businesses.

"To have our hard work and dedication recognised at this level is just amazing."