SOME people follow, but others lead - and graphic designer Gavin Lewis, of York, led where others dared not follow.

He was the only one of 40 graduates from a graphic design course at Teesside who had the confidence, bravery and faith in his own work to start a business.

Now his In Form Design Services, which he operates from his home in Coppergate Walk, York - and occasionally from an office in Stokesley, North Yorkshire - has three employees, is doing very nicely thank you and plans to expand into new offices in York. So well, that 23-year-old Gavin has been nominated for the title of Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in The Press Business Awards 2006.

Over the past year, he has designed websites for his old university's school of arts and media, the medical school at Leeds University, as well as local and international businesses in areas as diverse as medical applications and executive education. He has also helped professionals such as accountants and business consultants, and has worked with many of the businesses at Stokesley's Springboard Centre.

Gavin said: "It's been an exciting first year and a steep learning curve for me.

"As a young business, we need to offer that bit extra to win new clients.

"I've been fortunate enough to win quickly a broad client base, but we always have to be looking for the next project. We help our clients stand out from the crowd in their markets and the client feedback has been very gratifying."

Gavin doffs his cap to Ian Atkinson, managing director of In Genius Ltd, a business creation practice who inspired his entrepreneurialism during his student work placement there.