Two traders in Wantage have made it to the regional finals of the Muddy Stilettos awards.

Sharon Lowe of About You Bridal Boutique and Anthony Sherman of House of Flowers will now compete against businesses from across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Voting for the awards will close on Sunday night and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 13.

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Ms Lowe, who only opened her boutique in Mill Street in October, has been nominated in the best bridal shop category.

She said: “I was absolutely blown away just to be nominated, but I thought I probably wouldn’t get into the next round.”

Born and raised in Wantage, she decided to open her own bridal shop after a ‘terrible experience’ while shopping for her own wedding dress.

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She said: “I was given a bag to put over my head because I had make-up on and they didn’t want to get it on the dress.

“It was really unpersonal and it didn’t feel exciting.

“I don’t do that. That’s why I called it About You – because its all about people’s individual bridal journey.”

Mr Sherman, who is in the running for best florist, previously won the Muddy Stilettos award for best newcomer in 2018, the year his shop opened, and is hoping for a repeat of his success.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be nominated and the support we have had from the whole community and all our customers has been amazing.”