A young entrepreneur has “broken the glass ceiling” by being honoured at this year’s Bolton News Business Awards.

At a ceremony held at the Bolton Whites Hotel hosted by comedian and writer Shazia Mirza the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Dr Prash Ladva.

After collecting his award, he said that he hoped this could show the way for other young aspiring business people to follow in his footsteps.

Dr Ladva said: "It's really important and for me growing up in Deane it was almost expected that I would be rejected from medical school to some extent.

"So for me it really was important to break that glass ceiling and show other people that you can do it to."

Bolton News regional editor Richard Duggan opened the event and said he hoped to recognise "fabulous" businesses from across the borough.

He also paid tribute to all the staff who have made tonight's event possible.

Mr Duggan also highlighted the Bolton News' campaign for Bolton Hospice and for food banks helping keep children fed during the summer, which many of the nominated business and entrepreneurs had helped to support over previous months.

Council leader Nick Peel said he hoped many further medical professionals and business people could be trained in the borough over the coming years.

He said: “We successfully secured £20m of Levelling-Up Funding for the Bolton Institute of Medical Sciences.

“Working in collaboration with our partners at the University, Bolton College, and the Foundation Trust this £40m state-of-the-art clinical skills training facility will transform the way that people are trained and employed in the healthcare sector across Greater Manchester, and enable Bolton to be a leader in the healthcare field.”

He added: “So, if I could leave you with one message it would be this, come and talk to us.

“Talk to us about our regeneration projects, talk to us about the support Business Bolton can offer and talk to us about how you can help us shape Bolton’s bright future.”