A husband and wife who grew their business together despite treatment following a serious car crash have been given an award for triumphing over adversity.

Bradley and Amy McManus have increased turnover to £250,000 at AM Marketing despite a high-impact head-on collision near Ashford in 2014.

It left both with physical injuries, anxiety, depression and post-traumantic stress disorder, with both undergoing months of treatments and operations after the accident.

Yet their Canterbury-based company has become a partner of Google and carried out a plethora of digital marketing campaigns for small and medium-sized businesses across Kent.

They were presented the Jeff Paterson Triumph Over Adversity award in the 19th Amazon Growing Business Awards held at the Brewery in London on Wednesday.

The trophy is named after another Kent entrepreneur, Jeff Paterson, who founded Strood-based currency conversion business Fourex.

The South African won the 2016 award before losing his battle with cancer earlier this year.

Collecting the award on behalf of him and his wife, Bradley McManus said: “Winning the triumph over adversity award is so important for us both professionally and personally.

“It recognises the difficult times we have gone through and the success we have still be able to accomplish with some seriously hard work.

“We hope that this award can inspire anyone else that their business goals are achievable and that even when it seems impossible, there is always an opportunity that you can create.”

The crash left Amy, managing director of the business, unable to walk for a period.

Mr McManus said: “At first it was hard professionally when something like this happens.

“Nothing is really ever the same again but that is why Amy has been the linchpin of this company.

“Her focus, dedication and strength have made the business the success it is.”

There were 16 other categories at the awards created by Real Business and backed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Doug Gurr, UK country manager at Amazon, said: “These businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and a true inspiration to others, so it’s great to see them recognised for their incredible entrepreneurship, creativity and innovative spirit at the awards.”