TWO women behind a successful venture bringing children's favourite characters to life have been nominated for their first award.

Doorstep Princesses owners Nicole Powell, 23, and Amber Cox, 27, are entertainers who dress up as princesses or characters and perform at children's parties and events across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Now, the popular pair have been voted among the top five best children's businesses in the Muddy Stilettos 2023 awards.

The awards have been celebrating small and independent lifestyle businesses across the country for a decade.

However, Miss Powell said they need votes in order to bag the top spot in the upcoming awards.

She said: "It is amazing, we both can't believe it.

"It feels incredible, we stayed up until midnight just waiting for the nominations to be announced.

"We are really proud, if you put your mind to something, you can do it.

"It would just be incredible if all the hard work we have put in has been recognised.

"We didn't think we would be nominated, we just really really really want to win.

"It would be an absolute dream to win."

Over the past three years, the quirky duo have performed across Worcestershire and recently opened up their own party venue called Doorstep Kingdom in Blackpole.

"We want to carry on going and keep growing and we have lots of support and lots of backing," she said.

"I didn't think we would be in this position, we are making other people's dreams come true, I didn't imagine this.

"We've seen little kids cry when they've met us dressed as princesses.

"Grown-ups and parents cry all the time when they see us."

The pair also hope to inspire young people across the county to work hard and achieve their dreams.

"If you believe it, you can achieve it. 

"We put our heart and soul into everything we do and we never give up."

Doorstep Princesses started during lockdown as the pair wanted to find a creative way to entertain while keeping in line with Covid restrictions.

Miss Powell added: "We are two young women, who have never run a business before, we don't have business degrees, we're defying the odds. 

"At first, having our own business seemed so out of reach but no matter the obstacle we won't give up. 

"We do everything in-house, all the advertising, finance and marketing, and everything else. 

"This is our full-time job and we are making our dreams come true every day."