THE owner of a Pokesdown vintage shop is calling for local support after being nominated for a prestigious national award.

Nicki Grainger, who owns What Alice Found in Christchurch Road, is in the running for the Best Regional Fashion Shop in the UK prize at the National Vintage Awards.

The 28-year-old, who started her business after finding success at the Boscombe Vintage Market, is down to the last four in the categor and needs votes.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be given the chance to win this award. We really are passionate about vintage and have such a lovely following for our brand. We’d love to get through to the shortlist and be able to represent Bournemouth and Pokesdown at a national award ceremony. We’re trying hard to promote our creativity and unique products – we just need our lovely vintage fans to get online and vote for us.”

What Alice Found, an Alice in Wonderland-themed boutique, has been open for two years.

It has featured in the national press, including Grazia, Glamour and Closer magazine.

Nicki, who worked in local government in Dorchester before opening the shop, said: “It would be so wonderful for us to win this award. It would really put us on the map. There are so many amazing vintage shops in Pokesdown, but people don’t know we’re all here, so it would be great to have a boost.

“It would really give us a chance to shout about what we have here.”

The National Vintage Awards take place in Birmingham on Thursday, June 27. To see the full list or nominees, and to vote, visit thenationalvintageawards.co.uk before May 31.