A talented metal sculptress from Dent has won a top award giving her the opportunity to travel abroad and gain wider experience with other metal sculptors.

Deborah Payne has won a Churchill Travelling Fellowship Award, which will sponsor her to visit other metal sculptors in Denmark and Sweden. Her six-week trip begins late next month.

It’s a remarkable achievement by Deborah as the Churchill Awards annually attract up to 2,000 entries for the nine categories; 170 of those entrants are interviewed, and the judges choose the 100 most meritorious entries. Deborah won through in the Small Business Creation, Sustainment and Careers category.

She said: “I still can’t believe it. It’ll be a fantastic trip and a chance to see a completely different view on art and design.

“It’s really to study another country’s approach to creativity, and gain inspiration from a fresh viewpoint. I have chosen to travel to Scandinavia, as I’ve always been interested in their style of design.” Deborah was suggested for the awards by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, which helped her to set up as a self-employed iron work designer, and is continuing with support as her business grows.

She said the trip would bring expansion and a new dimension to her business.

Deborah said: “CREA has been very helpful and supportive, especially their advisor Carl Bendelow who has helped my business to get going. CREA has given me lots of advice from the outset on converting buildings to marketing my business.” Most of Deborah’s work is bespoke household artefacts, which she sends to clients all over Europe. Her latest order is a very ornate set of curtain rails for a Spanish villa. She is now looking to produce a catalogue and boost the mail order side of her business.

“I think I won the award because of my proposal and business plan, which looks forward to where I want to be in two years times. I’d like to continue what I’m doing, and maybe take on an apprentice. I’d also love to spend more time on design.”