TWO entrepreneurs who overcame adversity to start their own businesses have been selected for a national competition to recognise their achievements.

Dominic Morgan and James Ramplin feature in the top 100 inspirational stories in Barclay’s Trading Places award scheme.

If they make it to the final, they will share a £50,000 prize fund.

Mr Morgan, of Goring Road, Colchester, started his web-based business after the death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter earlier this year.

Jodi O’Rahilly died in March from a rare bone marrow disorder called aplastic aenemia and her family rallied around to raise cash for the Sick Children’s Trust, which supported them during her 18-month illness.

Mr Morgan set up www.bigfish.tv to promote angling, which Jodi enjoyed, as well as a fundraising fishing event in her memory.

The contest, at Suffolk Water Park, Ipswich, in July, turned out to be one of the biggest of its kind in the country.

He is now using the website to list reviews of fishing venues around the UK, as well pressing ahead with charity work.

“I’ve been fishing since I was a kid,” said the 39-year-old.

“My brother and I grew up in Ardleigh and I used to go fishing with him in Dedham.

“When I had children, I started taking them and I’m very fortunate because my wife likes fishing too.

“Jodi loved fishing and, while she was quite shy and wouldn’t have liked the attention, I think she’d have been proud about what we’re doing.”

Mr Morgan was nominated for the award by Wendy Borrell, his Barclay’s business manager. He has also been shortlisted for a special community award for his project idea to provide day fishing trips for disadvantaged children.

Mr Ramplin, who founded Tiptree Clocks two years ago, was left disabled from the waist down when he contracted polio as a child.

After being made redundant in 2008, he retrained as a horologist to repair clocks and watches.

He went on to establish his company, which he runs from home, and was highly commended in last year’s Ready to Start Entrepreneurs Awards run by Leonard Cheshire Disability and Barclays.

Mr Ramplin, 63, said: “These awards mean a lot to me because it’s a recognition of what can be achieved when you put your mind to it.”

His daughter, Sally-Ann, has designed a website to promote the business.

The Trading Places Awards “recognise individuals with an inspiring story to tell and whose grit and determination has turned tragedy into triumph”.

Winners will be announced in November.