A YOUNG entrepreneur who was tipped as a future business leader has died suddenly aged 27.

Police were called to a property in Askam at around 8.30am on Saturday following the sudden death of Jonathan Chapman.

Mr Chapman was known for launching Cumbria Karting based at James Freel Close in Barrow at the age of 18, and later expanded with a ten pin bowling venue next door thanks to a £250,000 investment.

In 2011, Mr Chapman wowed local business leaders when he entered - and went on to win - the Evening Mail's Local Business Accelerator competition.

His ambition and drive in setting up Cumbria Karting impressed the judging panel, made up of three of the area's most successful business owners.

He was praised for his bid to improve the area and provide activities for children while keeping costs down in order to make his track accessible for all, regardless of income.

Sadly for Mr Chapman, his business venture was forced to go into liquidation at the beginning of 2016.

Mike Armstead, who bought and turned around Lindal candle manufacturer and retailer Wax Lyrical into a global name, was one of the judges in the Local Business Accelerator competition.

On hearing the news of Mr Chapman's death, Mr Armstead said: "I first met Jonathan when he was aged 21 in the final 10 of the North-West Evening Mail's Local Business Accelerator competition.

"I was immediately impressed by his commerciality and clear entrepreneurialism, which is rare to see; not least in one so young.

"He deservedly got through to the last three and although I didn't personally mentor Jonathan, I watched with interest and later experienced the business at a Furness Enterprise evening.

"It is really sad to hear the news, Jonathan had a bright business future ahead of him."

Police have said Mr Chapman's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been passed to the coroner.