Two local businesses are celebrating Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition success. Dippers and Divers Swim School and What's In Ltd, headed a strong field of finalists for the competition. They were presented with their awards by Oxford United Chairman, Kelvin Thomas.

Dippers and Divers Swim School (www.dippersanddivers.co.uk) teaches babies and children to swim, to love and respect the water, and to have fun safely in a pool environment. Founded in September 2010 by Samantha Matthias from Berinsfield and Wallingford-based Harriet Render, the school now has 100+ children attending weekly lessons: “Winning this award means the world to us! Our customers have continuously praised the quality of our lessons, but this recognition is the best we could ever hope for. We thank the Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition judges for recognising our commitment and passion to succeed.”

What's In Ltd (www.whatsinthame.co.uk) at Thame, specialise in interactive web sites designed to connect local communities through online and mobile technologies. They launched the ‘What's In Thame’ community website in February 2010 and increased that to 23 live sites, UK-wide, by the end of the year. Directors Abby Davey and Paul Ray say: “Winning this competition is not only a privilege, but also recognition of the relevance of our innovative website and mobile solution in creating cohesion between communities by empowering the people, and giving them a medium in which to have a voice.”

Both are now discussing with Jennings which of the free office prizes would best suit their business. They’ll also be granted automatic entry into the prestigious Oxfordshire Business Awards and receive free mentoring through the TBAC business mentoring service (www.tbac.org.uk).