WIRRAL businessman Drew Cockton shared his secrets at an event in Santander's Birkenhead branch.

Drew, 31, from Wallasey, who runs Owen Drew Luxury Candles spoke about how he founded the business from his home 18 months ago with no financial backing.

The award-winning business now employs eight people and has received critical acclaim for its products.

Drew spoke to a gathering of potential entrepreneurs for the 'business breakthrough' event held by the Birkenhead bank with the aim to inspire others to start or grow their businesses, he revealed the tricks of the trade by using social media to its full advantage and offered handy hints and tips to get businesses off the ground.

He told the Globe: "The era of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter really offers a golden opportunity to start-up businesses, providing they get it right.

“When I started the business, we didn’t have a marketing budget, so I used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to build my brand, at first locally then nationally and now internationally."

As well as celebrating their win at the Small Business Awards last week, the employees at Owen Drew are busy preparing for the launch of their 'Summer Fragrance' collection which includes designs carved in Italian marble.

The business will host an open day on Saturday, May 26 at their flagship store in Birkenhead (254 Brook Street, Unit 5, CH41 3PH).

To register for free tickets for the event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-collection-launch-open-day-tickets-46317329379