A company grounded in virtual reality is hoping it can get a Business Boost.

VRImpact is based in Brampton and produces 3D models of buildings which can then be accessed using VR headsets.

The firm is run by husband and wife team Carl and Sian (***please put 'hat' above the A) Hodges, who both have full-time jobs and want to turn this new firm into a successful operation.

They have entered The Cumberland News' Business Boost competition to try and achieve this.

Mr Hodges explained his interest in starting this business.

He said: "We use scanners rather than cameras and then we create a 3D environment and you get these 'doll house' images. It is VR ready."

This has already attracted the interest of property developers and museums and Mr Hodges also thinks there is potential to move into the schools market.

Putting these tours online allows people to view buildings at any time of the day or night and get a thorough look around.

Mr Hodges said: "People want to have a good look around and check for issues, like if there is any mould."

Mr Hodges, 32, is originally from Blackpool and his father worked in the computer repair business and he learned a lot from him.

"I have been repairing computers since I was nine-years-old," he joked.

After a career on cruise ships, which saw him manage shops on the Queen Mary II, he went into finance and moved to Cumbria following an internal promotion.

He had tried to follow in his dad's footsteps but found this to be a very competitive market, whereas VR is one which is only at its beginnings.

"You are seeing a lot of big firms, like Audi, investing in VR, it is going to be worth £25bn this year," he said.

"People are beginning to realise what VR can do."

His wife works in healthcare and Mr Hodges said she has been extremely supportive with this new venture.

He is a member of The Giraffe Network, based in Carlisle, which helps to connect local firms and he also believes Business Boost can also be a great help to the company.

Mr Hodges said: "There is a lot of value in it (newspaper advertising), it is one of the best ways of getting word around."

This is the fourth year that CN Group, publishers of the News & Star, The Cumberland News, The Whitehaven News, the Times & Star and the North West Evening Mail , has run the scheme.

A total of six businesses will win £10,000 to spend on advertising in our newspapers and associated websites – there will be one winner from each category for north, west and south Cumbria.

Lamont Pridmore will also offer an additional special sponsors' prize of free consultancy support to a business that it feels will benefit particularly. It is also offering finalists a copy of its book, 57 Ways to Grow Your Business, the help sheet What Makes a Successful Business and the booklet Competitiveness – How the Best UK Companies are Winning.

These would all be appreciated by Mr Hodges.

"I am new to business, there's no lie about that. I am forward thinking but I need advice and help and support."

The closing date is March 31, to enter visit www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/businessboost.

For more information on VRImpact visit www.vrimpact.co.uk.