VERINA Horner - the woman behind Teesside plumbing firm Miss Plumb - has won the Gazette-backed Build a Business competition.

Build a Business was launched by Middlesbrough Council and supported by nebusiness as a media partner, to offer one Teesside entrepreneur a business base for six months - for free.

The 38-year-old Middlesbrough mum, who can be found most days doing everything from servicing boilers to fixing leaky pipes, says: “The company is doing well. I’m honest with people, I always say be honest, open and transparent and that comes across to the clients.”

Read a full report on Verina’s win in next Tuesday’s Business supplement.