A FLOWER shop owner is hoping to be named the best in the country after successfully completing round one of a prestigious competition.

After entering the Flower Council of Holland's Flower Shop of the Year 2007 Awards some weeks ago, Base of Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, has achieved a Silver Award of Excellence.

To achieve this the shop had to demon-strate knowledge, expertise and understanding in several key areas - retail planning, sales and marketing initiatives, business development and improving profitability.

Judges carried out an in-depth assessment of business skills, practice and knowledge, of owner Emma Ashworth (above) and her team of staff.

The shop now faces stiff competition for the gold award and if successful will go head-to-head with other high-flyers in a bid to be named overall national champion, next January.

One of the biggest awards in the industry, the winning shop will receive £5,000 to invest in their business, as well as the prestigious title of Flower Shop of the Year 2007.

Emma said: "We are all celebrating and excited about going through to next stage of the competition."