A YOUNG entrepreneur has been handed hundreds of pounds by Test Valley Borough Council to help develop her new company.

Nicole Wells, from Burghclere Down applied for the authority’s business incentive grant after starting her graphic design solutions firm VIMADA earlier this year.

The 22-year-old, who studied an advanced marketing diploma at Andover College, plans to help small to medium businesses develop professional graphics in order to better promote their company.

Nicole has spent several years working for commercial designers, but feels now is the right time to take on her own challenge.

She said: “Earlier this year I decided to take the plunge and go solo with VIMADA.

Although it was daunting at the time, I needed to establish myself in my field.

“Test Valley Borough Council’s Business Incentive Grant scheme is perfect for people like me because it provides ongoing business support as well as a financial incentive.”

Borough councillor, Maureen Flood, was on hand to present the cheque to Nicole.

Cllr Flood said: “I am delighted to present Nicole with this £500 grant.

“She has huge ambition and I am confident that she will continue to grow her business from strength to strength.

Her enthusiasm for her work is admirable and I wish her all the best with her venture.”

Test Valley Borough Council have now dished out more than £164,000 to local companies throughout the last 10 years as part of their incentive scheme, helping 328 businesses with their initial set-up costs.