ANOTHER Thurrock Soup event has highlighted the innovation and ambition in the borough.

Thurrock Soup Group is an opportunity for people with bright ideas for business to get together and share their thoughts - with a cash prize for the idea which participants vote is the best on the night.

More than 30 people joined in the latest virtual event hosted on Zoom to hear three inspiring pitches from budding Thurrock entrepreneurs.

Once again, there was some fantastic energy and excitement, and all pitchers and attendees were able to hear about available funding and free business advice as well as making some invaluable connections during the networking sessions.

It was a really close contest, but the winning pitch with the most votes of the evening was from Carolyn Djebbari, from South Ockendon, for her start-up enterprise WeAreCreativesThurrock.UK, which is a platform to champion the arts and culture in Thurrock. This will offer a free page to local artists, creative. businesses and community groups so that they can be instantly found under one creative umbrella.

Carolyn won £250 for her social enterprise, thanks to the event sponsors, the Port of Tilbury.

Carolyn said: "I want to personally thank the sponsors 'Port of Tilbury' for the award and Teresa O'Keeffe and Billy Masters for running the Thurrock Soup event which actively encourages people to be agents of change for Thurrock.

"I never would have got here had it not been for the Thurrock School of Social Entrepreneurs and in particular Michelle Shavdia who mentors social entrepreneurs throughout our borough."