SUCCESSFUL Cumbrian businesswomen have been welcomed to Parliament.

Cumbrian finalists at this year’s Enterprise Vision Awards for women in business in the North West visited Parliament this week.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron met up with some of the finalists from the county.

This year 17 Cumbrian women have been shortlisted for the Enterprise Vision Awards, up from 11 last year.

They have been shortlisted in the hospitality, financial services, retail business, solo business, small business, creative industry and internet industry categories.

Mr Farron gave the ladies a tour of the Houses of Parliament and spoke to them about how they have built their businesses

He said: “It was a real pleasure to meet these incredibly successful local businesswomen.

“We know that we have a fantastic pool of talent in Cumbria. As a county, it’s buzzing with creative individuals and entrepreneurs. I applaud the achievements of these businesswomen and will be supporting them all as they continue to shine a light on our very special corner of the UK.

“I have my fingers crossed for all of them for the final in September.”

The EVA finalists from Cumbria are:

Susan Robinson, Nanny Brow, Ambleside (hospitality industry); Amy Onyango and Claire Mansfield, Felltarn Friends, Kendal (small business); Juless Natlacen – The Churchmouse at Barbon, Barbon (hospitality industry); Amanda Ryan, Social Elf, Carlisle (solo business); Angela Black, AB Accountancy Solutions (financial services);

Samantha Gargett, Elton Finance (financial services); Gina Pennington, Penningtons Tea and Coffee Ltd, Kendal (retail business); Michelle Partington, Shelly’s Drinks Ltd, Holme (retail business; Faye Ramsey, Porto Restaurant, Windermere (hospitality industry); Yvonne Gainford, Culinary Occasions, Workington (hospitality industry);

Alison Magee-Barker, AJ Lakes Consultancy (professional services); Alison Tordoff, Fidget Design (creative industry); Rebecca Watson, Rebecca Watson Design and Marketing, Aspatria (creative industry); Nici Hewitson, One Little Bird, Cockermouth (professional services), Tracy Johnson and Lisa Jackson, The Sugar Shed, Holme (internet industry).