AN ENTREPRENEUR from York has been named as one of the happiest people who make a difference in the UK.

Dom Smith is one of 100 people to make The Independent On Sunday’s Happy List, which represents unsung heroes and “the best of Britain”, but not necessarily those who get media attention.

The list is collated through nominations and appeals through social media, and this year included Dom Smith – a man living with cerebral palsy whose organisation Disabled Entrepreneurs helps find opportunities for development and networking around the UK.

Dom, who also runs music magazine Soundsphere, said: “It’s a huge surprise and honour to be on the list. I’ve no idea how I got in.

“I’m very happy about it, though that’s a pretty bad pun. It was really a big surprise, I just got a tweet from a friend telling me about it. That was the first I heard. There are some incredible people in the list, really inspiring people, so it was a huge surprise.”

The 26-year-old who lives in The Groves, York, said the secret of to his own happiness was talking and sharing stories with people, and going to live gigs, but acknowledged happiness meant different things to different people.

He said: “It’s easy, as long as you’re doing something you want to do and are passionate about. I think it sounds clichéd to say it out loud, but it’s really how I feel.

“It’s just really difficult to feel bummed out around this area, especially because there’s so much creativity and entrepreneurship. I’ve just been talking to some independent film makers. Everyone has reasons to be miserable from time to time, but I’ve got great colleagues, friends, the organisation’s going well, and the magazine’s going well, and life in general is pretty good, so it’s a good time.”