A RUBERY mother-of-three who was inspired to launch a wellbeing company after fighting depression and ill health has seen her business named in the finals of a prestigious contest.

Marie Jenkins, 44, left her career in social housing in 2013 after finding herself in poor health, overweight and suffering with depression.

She set about transforming her life by taking responsibility for her health and wellbeing and started her own business in the wellbeing industry last February.

Her firm, Advance Your Wellbeing, is now among six companies up for the Midlands Innovation of the Year category of the Midlands Business Awards.

The first-year University of Worcester student said: “The last year and a half has not been without challenges.

"But when you take the decision to set up in business accepting those challenges and how you rise to them reflects whether your business is going to be around for years to come.

"I am proud to be recognised as an innovative new business and being born and bred in the Midlands makes this award even more special."

Marie’s business, which reviews wellbeing strategies in the social housing sector, was selected from hundreds of businesses to reach the final.

The award winners will be announced in a ceremony in Leicester on February 24.