Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 5 June 2001 For Use: Immediately

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Western Isles Entrepreneur nets E-Commerce Business Award!

Leila Angus, owner of Western Isles photography business, Brighter Still, has scooped a major award just a year after setting up in business.

She secured the title of "Most Excellent Business" plus a cheque for £1,000 at a ceremony held by the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust in Glasgow's Lighthouse.

Leila, who operates her business from her home in Sandwick on the Isle of Lewis, provides press, commercial and industrial photography as well as digital-manipulation services.

She received support from the PSYBT and BT Scotland last year to launch his venture, and judges felt she had established an excellent business which was particularly creative.

Leila collected her cheque at an event held to launch the third year of the BT Scotland Young E-ntepreneurs scheme operated in partnership between BT Scotland and the PSYBT.

BT Scotland will invest £50,000 to encourage young people to use e-commerce to boost their fledgling companies during the next 12 months, taking the total amount contributed by the communications company to more than £100,000.

Leila received her prize from Wendy Alexander, Scotland's Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. She thanked BT Scotland for the award and enthused about the comprehensive support package that had been made available to her through the PSYBT.

Leila said: "It was fantastic to meet Wendy Alexander and lots of other young business people from all over Scotland who have received the same level of encouragement and support as myself. It's great that big companies like BT Scotland are willing to help young businesses who really need support."

PSYBT Chairman in the Western Isles, Lochmaddy Councillor Donald MacLean, added,
"I'm delighted for Leila. This is the latest of several nationally-recognised awards I've witnessed being won by local PSYBT-supported businesses, in my three years as local chairman."

The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust's aim is to help 18-25 year olds to start up and continue in business though pre-start business planning advice, access to loan and grant funding and two years of aftercare support.

For more information on PSYBT in the Western Isles, please contact regional manager Domhnall Macdonald, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar on 01851-810-876.

Ends

On the surf simulator: Leila Angus (Western Isles) - Brighter Still
Sharon McAllister (Alloa) & David Dalgetty (Borders), the BT award runners-up.