A CULLOMPTON one-woman-business who designs, makes and sells her own bridesmaid dresses is celebrating after she was given a regional award.

Kimberley Baker was awarded the Regional Dressmaker/Designer of the Year award in the Wedding Industry Awards.

Kim said she only entered after her friend Casey Blackmore, who won Wedding Stationery of the Year at the same ceremony, convinced her to put herself forward.

“We had to enter ourselves and my friend got me to enter. Then we got through to the next stage by customers voting for you,” Kim said.

For the final stage, judges then read the comments from the happy customers before choosing Kim as the award’s lucky winner.

When asked if she thought she would come away from the evening victorious, Kim said: “I wasn’t so sure. My friend, she thought I had a chance.

“I think my customers have been quite pleased this year, so I have felt good.”

Kimberley, whose shop AbideMaids Boutique is based on Station Road in Cullompton, was presented with the award in a gala evening at Maunsel House, near Bridgwater recently.

A one-woman-business, Kim works in the shop, designing and making all the dresses herself.

However, it wouldn’t have been possible, she said, without the support of her customers.

“I want to say thank you to them. I won it because of my customers.”