THERE was a first birthday present for entrepreneur Sarah Watmore when her 12- month-old wholesale jewellery business was highly commended in the British Travelgoods and Accessories Association Awards in the fashion jewellery category. She launched Miss Milly, a jewellery and fashion accessories wholesale company, from Top Barn Business Centre at Holt Heath, near Worcester, last September and its products scored with the panel of judges from leading retailers including Ernst Jones and H Samuel.

“They loved my Floria Collection,” said Ms Whatmore.

“I launched Miss Milly on September 1 2012 in the mid-st of a double dip recession and after numerous sleepless nights.

“But it has been a fantastic year, the response to the brand has been incredible and this is an amazing way to finish my first year.”

Miss Milly sells costume jewellery and accessories to retailers throughout the UK and overseas through the website at missmilly.-co.uk, a network of sales agents and at trade shows.

Ms Whatmore added: “Ear-lier this year, my products were accepted for listing on the UK websites of one of Europe’s largest mail order companies and we have stea-dily grown sales through them. Over the next 12 months, I would like to see Miss Milly listed by other national retailers and am compiling a hit list.”