A BRAVE mum entered the Dragons Den and left victorious as Ely hosted its very own version of the hit television show. Emma Furness, one of the founders of a not-for-profit organisation ran by young mums who provide healthy eating cookery classes, gave

A BRAVE mum entered the 'Dragons' Den' and left victorious as Ely hosted its very own version of the hit television show.

Emma Furness, one of the founders of a not-for-profit organisation ran by young mums who provide healthy eating cookery classes, gave a presentation in front of four 'dragons', which included Ely Standard editor Debbie Davies.

Mums About Food beat off stiff competition to win three months' free office space at e-space north, the business centre owned and managed by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Emma had to convince the 'dragons' and explain why her business needed the office space. In a gripping finale, the 'dragons' were left with a head-to-head between Mums About Food and Camfargo European Limited which provide courier services throughout the UK.

Emma said: "Winning this competition is going to make a huge difference to Mums About Food. It will allow us to plan more, help us to be more organised and ultimately allow our business to grow. I can't wait to get started as I know this opportunity is going to help us to grow and grow. I am so excited to say I have got an office!"

Cllr Ron Bradney, economic champion at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It really was a dramatic finish to our three-month search to find a company that would most benefit from getting a rent free office. I was very impressed by the standard of the business pitches from the short listed companies and how they stood up to the scrutiny from the 'dragons'.

"We all know the difficult economic conditions which face small businesses at the moment which is why the council were so keen to run this competition and use the e-space centre as it is so flexible in helping start ups to succeed. I am really excited by the prospect of having Mums For Food in our business centre and I hope it helps them grow and prosper in the future."

The other 'dragons' were Stephen Alton from Barclays Bank in Ely, Roger Hetherington from Business Link East and Gary Hartwig, managing director of Packwell D & S Limited based in Chettisham.

The 'dragons' were judging the businesses on sustainability, development, business fundamentals and their unique selling point in a bid to find the candidates best suited for the prize.

After long deliberations the panel returned to the 'den' to announce that Mums About Food were the winners.

Pic caps: 0679GD1108: The dragons deliberate before the winner is announced.

Dragons' Den winner Emma Furness shows the dragons her plan for success.

9376GD1108: Martin Peters from Camfargo European puts his case to the 'dragons'. Photos: GEOFF DURRANT.