A MUM with an interest in climate change has been joined by an enterprising farmer in winning top honours in a new business competition.

Tanya Ewing and Mark Woodcock were named winners of the Barclays' Bid competition.

The event, of which the Evening Times is media partner, took the form of a nationwide search to find the country's best business ideas.

For more than three months a team of business leaders sifted through some of the best potential enterprises to find a winner.

And at a gala final, Tanya and Mark Woodcock were selected as winners, beating another 14 finalists to each scoop £5000 plus £2000 of business software to help make their business dreams a reality.

Tanya, from Perth, has developed a system that can monitor how much energy you are using as you use it.

So when you switch on a light, boil a kettle, even turn on a tap, you can see what you are using and calculate the cost to your pocket and to the environment. She already has a prototype in place.

Tanya said: "I want to encourage the wise use of available resources by changing people's behaviour towards energy.

"I want my product to be available globally for everyone to help reduce their carbon emissions and save money.

"I couldn't believe it when my name was read out.

"My husband had told me I'd no chance when he heard the other entrants' ideas but now it is time to take my idea to the next level.

"The whole night was incredibly professional and motivating.

"I really enjoyed how happy everyone seemed to be for me and it was great to meet so many inspirational people"

Mark, from the Borders, triumphed in the second category the best business development idea.

He started farm contractor business Woodcock Contracting two years ago.

However, just as he set up his business, new legislation banned the burning of all farm plastics, which was a technique that farmers has used for decades.

He spotted a gap in the market for setting up a recycling arm to his business solely for farms and now has 300 clients.

At a gala event at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh, Barclays local business marketing director John Davis said: "Both our winners' ideas were exceptional and inspiring and really impressed our judges.

"The standard was very high and these two reflect the talent Scotland has to offer."