The Old Bag Company, based in Kingsbridge, has outperformed hundreds of hopeful new businesses to become a regional winner in the 2007 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

The national contest, now in its seventh year, is designed to seek out the most promising new businesses in the UK and to recognise the entrepreneurial talents behind their creation.

Sally Hurst, who started The Old Bag Company nearly three years ago, is now hoping to clinch one of the top titles and take a share of the awards’ prizes, worth a total of £85,000 this year.

Tired of struggling to and from the beach with a collection of old plastic carrier bags, Sally decided to take matters into her own hands and design bags to meet the needs of busy families on the move.

It was a target market Sally understood perfectly and her familiarity with the South West helped her identify suitable outlets for her new product. Named by her husband, the Old Bag Company was launched in September 2004 - too late for the spring and summer trade shows, but Sally took to the road and had her bags accepted by 75 shops in 10 weeks.

The reason for their appeal, says Sally, is that they meet a simple need. They are well designed, of good quality and sold at an affordable price that makes them appealing as impulse buys, presents for friends - or for those who just want to have one in every colour!

Simon Wainwright, HSBC: "The Old Bag Company can be very proud of their success in such a keenly contested fight and we wish them luck in the national finals."

Added to that is the appeal of a marketing strategies that uses Sally (the Old Bag) and her family (Young Old Bags and Little Old Bags) to great effect. Every bag contains a message from Sally's five children and, judging by the response from buyers so far, it’s one that works.

The Old Bag Company currently has 300 accounts countrywide and abroad and is still growing daily. The product range includes back packs and small fashion bags – known as the Weekend Set, the Shag Bag and the Dirty Old Bag - and is now available through the company’s website.

The Old Bag has already come a long way, but Sally is far from satisfied. She has plenty of ideas for new products, including a baby bag, and new markets, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, and plans to drive her company forward from strength to strength.

The Old Bag Company is one of 10 companies to secure a place in the West, Wales and Northern Ireland regional finals of the 2007 Start-Up Stars Awards. They will now compete with winners from four other regional heats for a place in the national finals, along with the chance to scoop the top prize of £25,000 and the sought-after title of HSBC Start-Up Star 2007.

These top 10 businesses will attend a final national judging session in London where each one will be given the opportunity to explain why their business deserves the top prize of £25,000 cash plus the coveted title of HSBC Start-Up Star 2007.

The winning business and runner-up will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel on October 24, attended by more than 300 guests representing business, politics and the media.

During the evening the winner of the first Start-Up Stars Green Award, celebrating the start-up company demonstrating the best green credentials, will also be announced, receiving an HSBC cheque for £5,000.

Each national finalist will also take away a prize package comprising the Quick Books Pro and Small Business Payroll, SimpleStart from Intuit, Google Awards credits and 30 days of dedicated account servicing from Google UK.

Congratulating The Old Bag Company on their success, Simon Wainwright, chief operating officer for HSBC commercial banking, commented on the high quality of entries from the West, Wales and Northern Ireland region.

"The competition for places at regional level has been extremely strong this year, reflecting both the increasing numbers of new businesses in the UK and their growing professionalism. The Old Bag Company can be very proud of their success in such a keenly contested fight and we wish them luck in the national finals," he said.

"Last year HSBC helped nearly 100,000 new ventures get off the ground," he added. "This represents a huge pool of entrepreneurial talent that exists in Britain today.

"Many are still only small businesses - but they have big ideas. We are proud Start-Up Stars can contribute to their aspirations and that the Awards play a pivotal role in identifying the business leaders of the future."

Taking advice is the first step in getting a new business off the ground, and useful information is available in the free HSBC pack Starting a Business which can be order by visiting www.ukbusiness.hsbc.com or by calling 0800 328 6942.