A FLORIST’S in Poole is celebrating after a member of staff won a national award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Laura Birch, 24, who works at Penn Hill Flowers won a Bronze Medal in the Young Florist of the Year 2014 category at the annual event, after creating a mermaid-inspired dress out of flowers.

Laura said that it has been ‘lovely’ receiving support from customers since gaining the accolade.

She added: “You had a design stage to go through first, and if you passed that, you were then sent a brief eight weeks before, which was to create a fantasy floral dress to be worn to a crystal-themed ball.

“We did some sketching and moodboards, with the support of my boss Kerry O’Brien, and then I decided to create a dress like a mermaid.

“I had to send the dress up last Sunday, and then found out that I had won a medal when I was at the show on Tuesday, which has all been quite surreal.”

Laura says that the dress design, along with her medal, is currently on display in the shop’s window for residents to see.