Mr Noel Daly, of Sareo Healthcare, was named yesterday as the winner of the Shell Livewire young entrepreneur of the year award.

The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Tracey, presented the £3,000 winner's prize at an awards ceremony in Dublin.

Sareo Healthcare, which was established by Mr Daly in 1998, produces a range of hi-tech medical support equipment, including specialised anti-bedsore mattresses for use by long-term, bedridden patients.

The awards were open to anyone aged between 16 and 30 whose businesses have been up and running for between three and 18 months.