THE boss of a North-East craft firm, who founded the company in her student bedroom, has been shortlisted for a number of industry awards.

Sara Davies, who runs Crafter's Companion, in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, is up for three prizes at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The 30-year-old, who set up the business while studying a management degree at the University of York, is a finalist in the Creative Industries Entrepreneur of the Year, Retail Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year categories.

Winners will be revealed next month.

She has also been shortlisted for the Women in Business 2014 Yorkshire and North East Awards in international business and retail categories.

She said: “I feel incredibly humbled and honoured to have been named alongside such well respected, successful entrepreneurs and professionals.

“It might be my name up for the award, but it’s my staff who should be taking the credit for the company’s success.”

Crafter’s Companion employs more than 60 people at its County Durham headquarters and its US operation in California.

It specialises in the making and distributing crafting tools, and sells its products online and through TV shopping channels, working with brands such as The Snowman.

Mrs Davies has previously received a number of awards for her work, including a Silver Stevie Award for Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year and a Shell Women of the Future Award.