AFTER only three months, a Sale entrepreneur who created a Manchester-based nightlife app, Viper, with his friends has won its first award.

Craig Gidley and his friends Craig Davies, Stephen Powell, have been given a special commendation in the Talk of Manchester Awards ‘App of the Year’ category.

The award was voted for by the Manchester general public and with over 100,000 votes cast, competition was fierce as Viper shared a category with some formidable apps such as LadBible, MancMade and DebateApp.

But, despite being only a few months live, it was Viper that were celebrating as they walked away with their award on the night.

The app is made for iPhone and Android that is designed to take everyone's night out to the next level by letting them buy drinks packages, upgrade to VIP tables or booths and queue jump in real time.

The idea came from the trio who had their lightbulb moment while queuing in the rain for a bar in Spinningfields.

Speaking at the awards, Craig Davies said: “We are honoured to have won something this early on our journey. To be in a category with some of the apps there was amazing for us in itself but to be commended is a wonderful achievement for us.

"We feel there is nothing coming close to what we are offering and our links to the best bars in Manchester will ensure users have unrivalled access to exclusive upgrades during their night out."

Viper’s top priority is to ensure only the top standard of bars in Manchester are available on the app and the likes of Impossible, The Living Room, Epernay, The Milton Club, Bijou and Dirty Martini have already realised the impact the app can have in the city.

The founders are hoping to expand into other cities including the likes of Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle at the start of next year.