SUCCESS is almost secured for a Blackpool based company now just one step away from being named Britain's best new business.

TISS Ltd, which provides trailer security for haulage firms, is one of ten short-listed businesses vying for the first prize at this year's HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

The company's owner, Alex McCracken, is hoping the business will scoop the £20,000 top prize at the awards ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel on October 2.

But first he will have to face a six-strong judging panel of business experts to tell them why TISS Ltd should win.

Since the firm was founded in June 2001, it has made £110,000 sales to blue chip clients including Ferrari, Formula One, Argos, Littlewoods, Tesco and three of Europe's largest hauliers, an awards spokesman said.

The firm has also developed a range of security systems for hauliers such as 120-decibel trailer alarms, and mobile text alerts to drivers if a trailer is broken into.

Alex and his team -- who have 30 years' experience in the transport business -- used their electrical engineering experience to develop products and start TISS Ltd when they couldn't find 'effective trailer security' for their own trucks.

And being short-listed for the awards has already brought the firm £4,000 worth of consultancy services from business specialists Croner Consulting and business software company Intuit.

John Rendall, head of business banking at HSBC Bank, said: "TISS Ltd was up against some outstanding businesses and they should be justly proud of their achievement.

"TISS Ltd is a great example of how people with guts and determination, backed by careful planning, can create an exciting new business.

"At HSBC we hope that their success will inspire other budding businessmen and women in Lancashire to take the plunge and achieve their own success."