Outspoken, self-confessed “crazy” entrepreneur Ling Valentine has scooped the Woman in Retail business award as part of the North East Entrepreneur of the year 2006.

The LingsCars owner, who contract hires new cars via her internet business, was praised for her innovation and strong financial performance. Her website was also recently listed in FHM and Car magazines’ top websites.

Valentine, whose husband Jon Valentine is a partner in used car supermarket Carshock, has also created environmental efficiency labels on her website based on the official fridge-type system. Customers can compare green credentials based on fuel consumption.