JAMES Hamilton, aged 22, of Ridgeway in Lowton, is celebrating a successful first year after setting up his print and digital media business PixelTree Media.

James received funding and business support to set up his business from the Government’s Start-Up Loan programme.

Now James is aiming to move to new offices near Chester and has a strong expanding portfolio of businesses. Before starting his business James started as an IT consultant while he took on graphic and web design projects on a freelance basis in his spare time.

After being made redundant in 2012 and hearing about Start Up Loans he decided to take the plunge and set up his business.

James said: “Like a lot of people I had dreamt about having my own business and doing what I really loved for a living but was concerned about having the capital and experience to go it alone.

“The support and funding from Start-Up Loans meant that I was able to move things along faster than I might otherwise have done.”

The loans are delivered in the north west by Business Finance solutions with successful applicants also receiving expert mentoring, business support and training. Nationally more than 7,000 loans have been awarded, 500 of those in the north west.