AN MP called into a Millom business to congratulate the owner of the shop for winning the best retail florist in the UK. 

In October Nicola Armstrong, owner of The Bloom Room on St George's Street, won the Best Retail Florist at the British Florist Association Awards (BFA).

The MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison said: "Nicola's passion and creativity shine through and her success is testament to years of hard work and dedication to build her business and develop her craft."

Nicola was nominated by someone in the industry to take part in the competition, which she described as a 'pat on the back in itself.' 

She managed to get into the top 35 and then after filling out an essay questionnaire the top thirteen were whittled down by a public vote.

She said: "For the questionnaire I gave honest answers which were all from the heart. Even one judge said that he hadn’t read an application that they wanted to win so much. They told me how happy they were that I won.

"I got an email saying I was down to the top thirteen which was incredible. I still didn’t think that I would win, more thought I would be just a bum on a seat at the ceremony which was held in Leicester. Then we won it.

“It’s been a massive, unexpected rollercoaster. I’ve been on cloud nine since it started and I don’t want to get off."

Nicola said that her shop gets a lot of local support in Millom, and from her family.

“I’m a one-man band in the shop but my family gives me so much support," she said.

“I thought I’d never be able to compete against some of the other entries but since I asked people to vote for me, I couldn’t let them down.

“This means so much to me and I’d like to thank my husband Ian and everyone who has supported me.

“The business will never be the same after this.”

The BFA is an industry association, which allows florists to access member benefits and it puts on high-profile events.