A FURNESS bakery which is marking a successful first year in business this Easter is urging others to enter the same competition which earned them a free £10,000 advertising campaign. 

Peace and Loaf Bakehouse, based at Barrow Market, has enjoyed an "amazing" first 12 months. 

In that short time, Barrow entrepreneurs Caroline Davis, 34, and Lucas Hogg, 29, have become so busy that they are working at capacity - and were shortlisted for Specialist Food Producer of the year at the Cumbria Life magazine awards. 

Just as they were starting off, the couple won the Business Boost competition run by CN Group in association with Lamont Pridmore and Bendles Solicitors.

That earned them £10,000 to spend on advertising in the CN Group's multi media platforms - and Ms Davis says it has provided an invaluable kick-start. 

She said: "We're really thankful for the help it has given us and anybody that's got the opportunity to enter and get that free advertising, they should go for it. 

"It's an amazing thing. It was a great opportunity for us at the beginning of our business. 

"The boost it gave us, just from the promotion of winning, was really good and a lot of people found out about us through the publicity.

"Our promotion this week is on hot cross buns and I'm maxed-out. I can't take any more orders."

Business Boost is open to businesses with their headquarters in Cumbria in two categories - those established up to five years ago, or which have fewer than 250 employees. 

It's free to enter. 

There will be six regional winners, one for each competition category per region - north Cumbria, west Cumbria and south Cumbria.

Each will receive a £10,000 advertising campaign to spend in CN Group newspaper titles or websites of their choice.

Peace and Loaf Bakehouse is marking its one-year anniversary on Saturday with free samples of Carvetii Coffee and a raffle ticket for every customer, giving them chance to win a £5 voucher, T-shirt or tote bag. 

Go to  www.nwemail.co.uk/businessboost to enter, or contact alison.sisson@cnmedia.co.uk

Closing date for entries is Friday March 25.