A CHAMPION of Burnley's social causes has been crowned the East Lancashire Young Business Person of the Year -- just 15 months into her new job.

Jo Royle, 30, who is enterprise manager and company secretary of Burnley Enterprise Trust, was secretly nominated for the award by colleagues.

They were impressed with her dedication and enthusiasm to improving Burnley as a place to live and work.

Jo, who used to be an IT consultant, was unaware of the award until she was told she had won .

And she said the accolade was for all her colleagues who do an excellent job.

She said: "It was a surprise when I won as I didn't know I was nominated.

"I feel it is a great honour and it is nice to have won the award, but it is not just me it is all the team that have won it." Jo, who lives in Church Street, Padiham, currently provides support and mentoring to more than 20 projects in the area, which include community and environmental groups and sports clubs. Jo is now contemplating being nominated for an exchange project, which if picked would see her travel to Brazil .

She was presented with her award, by Robin Holmes, at the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce President's Dinner.