Firms across York and North and East Yorkshire have already started lining up to pit their success stories and innovative ideas against each other in our biggest and most glamorous Evening Press Business Awards ever. DAN RUTSTEIN profiles one of the entries in the build-up to the awards'

glittering climax.

AN ADVERTISEMENT in the Evening Press seven years ago turned a student on a bicycle into a leading York businessman.

Years of hard slog by Paul Blanchard, now 25, led to his setting up his own firm, Software Results Ltd, in 1998 - a company which now boasts an "excellent and amazing" team of 13 staff, almost 400 clients and an annual turnover, so far this year, of more than £750,000. Not bad from a first-year turnover of £30,000.

So it's little surprise that managing director Paul is now hoping to lead his team to victory in the Torch Telecom-sponsored Growth Business of the Year category in the Evening Press Business Awards 2000.

Paul's company, based in Norman Court, Grape Lane, York, supplies "computer solutions" to leading companies, including Leeds Bradford Airport, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, CGU and Lotus.

It mainly designs web sites, registers Internet domains and installs and supports computer networks.

Paul started his computer venture as an A-level student with an ad in the Evening Press which read: "Student with transport. Got computer problems? Give me a ring."

"It all began from that," said Paul.

"Most of the original callers are still clients - I began by designing their web sites and they recommended me to other people and it's gone from there."

Paul received help from the Young Business Project, a City of York Council-run scheme at the Fishergate Centre.

After working at the centre for a few years, Paul decided it was time to move on, and secured plush new offices in the city centre.

"Three years ago I decided to take on staff and supply both software and hardware and offer the complete solution," said Paul, who lives at Heslington.

His "complete solution" includes a relaunched award-winning website for Leeds Bradford International Airport.

The website includes 3-D tours of the airport allowing visitors to familiarise themselves with the layout before they arrive.

Paul has also overseen the installation of £25,000 worth of global positioning software to improve the service of a North Yorkshire courier firm.

Lightning Transport Group, based in Terry Avenue, York, is benefiting from the software which allows it to pinpoint the exact position of each of its drivers around the county and download delivery details from remote terminals in each of the cabs.

The ethos behind Paul's success is one of hard work, very hard work - 16-hour days are commonplace and he even sacrificed a longed-for BMW purchase to take on three additional members of staff.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to getting involved with the Evening Press Business Awards. Quite aside from the publicity for my own business, it will show others that with a little hard work, and enough determination, you can succeed.

"I'd also like to see how we compare against the other entrants. A bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone."

So to show Software Results what you're made of, or to find out about or enter any of the award categories contact Ron Godfrey, Evening Press Business Awards 2000, PO Box 29, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN (telephone 01904 653051). Or log on to www.epbusinessawards2000.co.uk and fill in our interactive entry form. The deadline for entikes is Monday, September 18, 2000.