A FAST-growing North Yorkshire motorhome company has been given a New Year sales boost by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis.

Harrogate Motorhomes secured £10,000 of new business after being mentioned on Twitter by Mr Paphitis.

The company, set up by former firefighter Annette Wingate 18 months ago, was among the six small businesses to be mentioned by Mr Paphitis in his first “Small Business Sunday” feed of 2012, in which he helps to promote six small businesses every weekend.

Annette said the mention resulted in Harrogate Motorhomes securing £10,000 worth of business in two days, 200 followers on Twitter within hours, as well as a significant increase in website activity and even a number of business propositions.

She said: “The response was astounding. I was delighted to have been chosen as just one of six businesses in the UK to get a mention from more than 1,000 who put themselves forward. But I didn’t really expect such an overwhelming response. It’s helped to ensure 2012 is off to a fantastic start and I’m extremely grateful for Theo’s support.”

The motorhome hire business has grown to £50,000 turnover since 2010 and is about to add a sixth motorhome to its fleet.

During 2011, it moved into new larger premises at The Grove, Harrogate.

Annette said: “I’m hoping to create new jobs this year as we’re now able to offer motorhome storage as well. I’m delighted to have enjoyed such a positive start to 2012, but we won’t be resting on any laurels.

“I can’t help feeling there’s been an element of ‘zeitgeist’ so far, but you can’t rely on that in business. Success is normally the result of hard work and I’ll be doing more of that to make sure we keep finding new customers and keeping the ones who have found us already.”