A Cockermouth woman will travel to London next week to pitch to a panel of judges in the hope of securing support from Richard Branson to help her expand her thriving maths business.

Former teacher Rebecca Hanson launched her own business, Authentic Maths, in January. It runs training for primary teachers.

She made it through the first round of Branson’s Virgin Voom business competition, securing 791 online votes. The 80 people who made it through will take part in a live pitch on Wednesday. Twenty will then go through to the semi final.

Rebecca, 43, of Kirkgate, will do a three-minute pitch in front of five judges. She said: “A big part of me is so delighted and excited to have got through, another part of me is quite scared. Not because of the pitch but my views on education are quite controversial.”