companies in the Okehampton area are weathering the economic storm and building stability and success.

The good news comes after a tough year that saw factory closures and redundancies.

It was a little over a year ago that Polestar Foods, Robert Wiseman Dairies and Browne's Chocolates all laid off workers within weeks of each other.

But there are now positive signs — projects to help the unemployed have been put into place, and some companies have recovered, while others have gone from strength to strength.

One company that has thrived, despite the economic climate, is Sticklepath-based Imagemakers.

And the interpretation strategy, consulting and design business is in the running for a prestigious award.

Imagemakers works in the heritage, cultural and tourism sectors. It plans, designs and implements interpretation schemes for heritage sites, visitor centres and museums throughout the UK and overseas.

The business is one of five finalists in the running for a national HSBC business award that will help propel its international growth further and give it the chance of winning one of two £50,000 overseas trade grants.

Imagemakers will compete in the London final on March 2, pitching to a panel of judges to showcase what sets it apart from the competition and how it will use the grant to expand through new opportunities overseas.

The company wants to expand its Chinese presence, with China currently representing 10% of the business. The two Overseas Trade winners will be announced before the end of March.

Jane Sillifant, Imagemakers managing director, said: 'Winning the HSBC Overseas Trade Grant would help propel our business forward and accelerate international growth in our key markets.

'The conference would attract around 500 delegates and would directly introduce us to a large number of potential clients, as well as creating positive exposure for our business in a growing market.'

National Bee Supplies is another company prospering, despite difficult economic times. The company, which manufactures beehives and beekeeping equipment, took ownership of the former Robert Wiseman Dairy plant in October.

It is currently gradually moving its operations into the plant, and the demand for hives, made from scratch using Western Red Cedar, is higher than ever.

Browne's Chocolates closed in March last year, but production at the factory was restarted in May. The firm was purchased for an undisclosed fee by Joe Keohane and Nick Baker, the team who turned Cornish-based Sharp's Brewery from a £2.5-million to a £17.5-million business.

The company re-hired nine of the original staff and since then has secured deals to supply high-end retailers, including Waitrose, Virgin Atlantic and Harvey Nichols, established a new line of products, such as the 'truffle pop', and is hoping to turn over £2.5-million in 2012 with business now booming.

Managing director Joe Keohane said: 'A little affordable luxury is often what keeps people going and quality chocolate is a real point of difference for both consumers and retailers.

'As tastes become more sophisticated smaller companies producing hand-made or artisan products will be in a strong position to offer real flavours and natural ingredients at reasonable prices.'

The former Polestar factory has been taken over by Devonshire Desserts, who employ around half of the 232 staff released by Polestar. The firm produces a range of frozen puddings, including cheesecakes and apple crumbles.

New businesses being set up by unemployed people have been supported by Business Information Point's New Enterprise Allowance programme. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, mentors act as a point of support for the new business owners, helping guide them through the development of business plans and the first six months of trading.

The scheme has proven such a success that BIP are looking for new mentors to volunteer for the scheme. For more details on mentoring, call BIP on 01837 659059.