Young surfer wins business award

Chris Thomson won the award after setting up his business eight years ago

A surf instructor who started his own surfing holiday business in Cornwall has been named the county's young business person of the year.

Chris Thomson, originally from the Isle of Wight, was a professional longboarder before becoming a coach.

He started his firm, Errant, organising trips for people wanting to improve their surfing in Newquay, in 2001.

As well as Cornwall, he now organises holidays to destinations including Barbados, Bali, Costa Rica and Spain.

Mr Thomson said: "I left school with few qualifications but have not allowed this to stop me.

"I'm fascinated by people and by new trends.

"I believe that it is my commitment to quality and to providing something fresher than anyone else that has got us to where we currently are."

The 2009 Cornwall Business Awards ceremony took place at the St Mellion Golf Club.