A TRADER hopes to reach the final of a prestigious competition, which has been dubbed as the 'Glastonbury' for businesses.

Michael Amos, 45, from Heddon-on-the-Wall, has been shortlisted for UKStartUp Awards 2024 for Manufacturer and Engineer start-up of the year with his business 'Rusty Restorations'.

Last year Michael revived his family's 125-year-old business, which was formerly called 'Amos Bros', which closed in 2011 partly due to the recession. Some of their work includes the poison garden gates for the Duchess of Northumberland at Alnwick Garden.

He said: "After seeing the competition advertised on LinkedIn, I simply filled out the extensive paperwork not really expecting to get a reply.

"A few weeks went by when I got a message to say my application had been received, then to my surprise out of the blue I got notification telling me that my business Rusty Restorations had reached the regional finals, with the winner to be announced on May 8.

"The winner of each category will then progress to the national finals, which is dubbed the 'Glastonbury' for business.

"I am massively proud to have got this far and keeping fingers crossed to progress further."