Finalists from young traders markets in Coalville will soon be heading to Wolverhampton for the last leg of a regional competition.

Traders winning awards at Coalville's Newmarket and Ashby Artisan Market's young traders events are preparing for the regional final of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) Young Traders Market awards.

Dennys Paints was awarded the overall winner of the North West Leicestershire District Council's (NWLDC) local events, which acted as a springboard to the main regional and national competitions.

The other entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 30, who also won awards at the Coalville and Ashby events, were Soothing Stones and The Jam Lab.

All three traders will go on to the regional finals this Saturday (August 13).

If successful, the traders could then go on to battling it out in the national final over the August bank holiday for a chance to win a prestigious award and a £500 cash prize.

ake Dennys, owner of Dennys Paints, overall winner of the young trader event at Newmarket in Coalville

The aim of the North West Leicestershire events was to give young traders the opportunity to develop business ideas and encourage more younger people into the retail markets industry.

Traders interested in trialling a business idea can use Newmarket as a springboard into the business world and can get in touch with the council's markets team at [email protected]

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "It's great to see all three traders make it to the regional final of the NMTF Young Traders Market awards.

"The local young traders markets are a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs to showcase their talent and our markets team were really impressed with each of their business ideas.

"We'll be cheering on all three traders from the sidelines - good luck to all those that have made it to the finals!"

Joe Harrison, NMTF CEO, said: "The support to our national campaign by market operators staging their own local events has been great this year, and we are so grateful to North West Leicestershire District Council for holding young traders markets at Coalville and Ashby.

"The campaign is now in its 10th year and since its inception has exceeded all our expectations.

"But that should not be surprising, since more and more operators are increasingly aware that for their retail markets to continue to thrive, they need younger traders to carry on the tradition. In that way not only can we hope for markets full of traders but also that they become an attraction for younger shoppers who like what these entrepreneurs are making and selling."