THE founder and MD of a leading online retailer has been awarded the North of England Entrepreneur of the Year title.

Leigh-born David Atherton's Westhoughton based dabs.com business was judged best of 32 competitors and he received

his award at Leeds Town Hall. David made the regional shortlist in 2001 and 2002.

A delighted David said: "I am absolutely thrilled. Not only does this award give me a huge amount of personal

satisfaction, it makes me feel especially proud of the collective achievements of everyone at dabs.com too."

David started his business in 1987 publishing computing books, started selling computer hardware and built the mail order business that led to today's thriving dabs.com, the online retailer of computers, technology and consumer electronics products.

David and eight fellow award recipients from will now go forward to represent the North of England in the National Final which takes place on October 6 at Le Merdien Grosvenor House in London.