Starting up your own business can be a daunting challege in itself but laundry firm Purple Label suffered a totally unexpected setback when co-founder Louise Rampe developed leukaemia.

She was forced to take 18 months away from the business leaving Stuart Tofts to develop the company based at Milton Park, near Didcot.

But the pair have come through to the point where they picked up the Small Business of the Year title and since winning the category, have continued to flourish.

Mr Tofts said: "It has been a harder time than for most so winning was even more special."

Ms Rampe added: "Winning has made an impact on the business and we have had a lot of new customers and expanded the area in which we operate.

"It has also helped with our own marketing as we were able to use the logo on our material and the last three months have been the most profitable and had the biggest impact on our turnover."