A Cockermouth woman is on tenterhooks as she waits to see if she has made it through a competition to get support from entrepreneur Richard Branson.

Rebecca Hanson, a former secondary school maths teacher, launched her own business, Authentic Maths, in January.

It runs maths training for primary teachers. 

She has entered the Virgin Voom business video pitching competition, in the hope of securing financial and business support.

She has been appealing to everyone to vote for her online and has so far received more than 660 votes.

If, at midnight tonight, she is in the top 80 of the 460 people in her category, she will be invited to attend a massive pitchathon in London next week.

This afternoon, she is in 65th position.

"It's scary and tense. I got to 64th and then dropped back to 78th, I'm now back at 65th. I have been appealing to everyone to vote for me and am amazed with all the support I have had," said Rebecca.

Rebecca, 43, of Kirkgate, has two young children and three stepchildren. 

She runs courses in schools training teachers and teaching assistants how to teach the maths curriculum. The business has been a huge success and she is keen to expand it.

She was the last head of mathematics at Ehenside School in Cleator Moor before it closed in 2008. She then lectured in mathematics education at Manchester Metropolitan University before retraining to lead primary maths professional development. 

On her website is a long list of Cumbrian teachers and headteachers indebted to Rebecca for her support. 

She said: "I cannot meet the demand without recruiting and training more trainers.

"That's why I have entered the competition, in hope of getting some support."

To watch the video of Rebecca's bid and vote go to www.vmbvoom.com/pitches/authentic-maths