TWO young women from Exmoor farming families want to start up a country clothing business have won an award for young entrepreneurs.

The annual Pinnacle Youth Award is presented by the Exmoor Society to encourage young people to develop a local business.

Emma Cox and Sally Taylor want to start up a country clothing business called Truly Exmoor.

Following extensive research, they found that the country clothing end of the market does not take into account the broader person and their aim is to design a range of clothing that caters for all sizes of men and women.

In presenting their proposals to Exmoor Society trustees, Sally and Emma said that they hoped to start with both ladies and men's polo shirts and gilets that have looser fitting arms and are longer in length.

Working with their own designs, their strategy is to provide an affordable country clothing range that at the same time is in keeping with good quality.

Sally said: "We are over the moon in winning our first award, and the grant will help us towards covering our initial start-up costs and enable us to keep borrowing expenses to a minimum."

Trustees were impressed by Sally and Emma's comprehensive presentation which included a detailed business plan, portfolio of designs and samples of the kind of clothes they want to create.

Both had undertaken an enormous amount of research and had already found a manufacturer.

And with an extensive network of support from family and friends, they were provided with a springboard for a business proposal which has the potential to be a real success.

Exmoor Society chairman Rachel Thomas said: "We are concerned about local livelihoods and as a conservation body want to show that beautiful landscapes and livelihoods can go together.

"Sally and Emma are passionate about Exmoor and have all the desire and drive to become successful entrepreneurs. We wish them all the best with developing Truly Exmoor.

The award will be formally presented to them at the society's annual meeting on September 21.