A WORCESTER florist is celebrating after being named among the best in the country.

Beautiful Flowers in New Street has won Teleflorist's Shop of the Year in a competition run by the Flower Council in Holland.

They were awarded a cheque for £1,000 from Teleflorist, the UK's largest network of professional florists.

The florists has been working its way up the chain of awards, after scooping a silver and platinum award in the contest last year.

Katherine Bujanszki said she was delighted to win the accolade. "I was thrilled to receive the award from Teleflorist and delighted to be recognised," she said.

"It was a team effort that reflected our hard work and dedication in providing our customers with exceptional floristry and service."

The results were announced at the Spring Florist Event in Birmingham. Every year, hundreds of shops enter the Flower Shop of the Year competition. Miss Bujanszki, who opened the business three years ago, said she was extremely proud to be representing Worcester on a national scale. The shop, which is located in a 16th century building, is fast gaining a reputation for creating contemporary floral designs and selling unusual, exotic plants.

Throughout the contest, the florists has had to demonstrate knowledge, expertise and understanding in several key areas, including retail planning, sales, marketing initiatives and also business development.

The overall winner of Flower Shop of the Year went to Diana Kaye Florist of Yarm, Cleveland, North Yorkshire, who also won Interflora Flower Shop of the Year.