Chester business, Thready or Knott Embroidery, has been selected for this year's 'Britain's Best Small Business Name' competition and stands a chance of bagging a £2,500 cash prize.

The competition, now in its third iteration, has been relaunched by Simply Business, one of the nation's largest small business insurers.

This year, the company partnered with award-winning comedian, writer and renowned 'punslinger', Darren Walsh.

Using his considerable pun prowess, Mr Walsh put together a shortlist of ten businesses.

Aside from Thready or Knott Embroidery, the roster includes the likes of Indian-inspired street food business, Tikka Chance On Me, and equestrian shop, Top Of The Clops, all vying for the coveted title and the cash reward.

For the first time, the public has been invited to vote for their favourite small business name.

Votes can be cast on the Simply Business website and voting closes on May 13, with the winner due to be announced ten days later on May 23.

Bea Montoya, COO at Simply Business said: "We’ve seen many memorable entries to this year’s Britain’s Best Small Business Name competition, and it’s a credit to the creativity and innovation of the nation’s SME owners.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and this competition sums up the wonderful spirit and humour that they bring to their businesses every day.

"We’re delighted to be able to award one small business owner with the £2,500 cash prize."

Research by Simply Business has shown that a funny or unique business name assists small businesses in their success.

Approximately 51 per cent of consumers admitted they're likely or very likely to shop at a small business with a funny or unique business name.

In fact, two thirds of customers say a funny or unique business name indicates a business that is imaginative and original, and four in five consumers prefer shopping with a small or local business over a large, well-known, global business.

Darren Walsh, said: "Puns and wordplay seem to have a special place in British culture, so it’s heartening to see that type of humour is central to the names of so many small businesses.

"It’s been a tough job to whittle down the thousands of entries to a shortlist of ten, but I’m sure these business names will trigger a few involuntary laughs from the public."

As the public decides who wins the title, the competition also showcases the creativity and humor of small entreprises all over the nation.

As "Britain's Best Small Business Name" heats up, many eyes will be watching Thready or Knott Embroidery to see if this inventive business from Chester will be crowned champion.