A PICTURE framer who set up his own business in Broadway has been named a finalist in a national competition for the third year running.

Richard Christie, who runs the Art'Giano shop in High Street, won the Fine Art Trade Guild award last year with his black and silver framing of a contemporary cityscape.

The theme to this year's competition is the Olympics so Mr Christie has selected a photographic image of gold, silver and bronze medals with red, white and blue ribbons.

He then used medal ribbons bought from Tower Trophies in Evesham to cover a mount edge, which was covered with a white mount, and gilded the frame with gold, silver and bronze sections.

He said: "This is the third year in a row I have been a finalist which is very encouraging and good for business. It makes all the hard work involved in starting a business worthwhile," he said.

Mr Christie, who has been picture framing for about 10 years, was first named a finalist in the competition in 2002, only two months after setting up his business.

He will find out whether he has won this year's award when the finals take place in Bolton on Saturday.