AN ILMINSTER mum-of-three who started her own business in 2008 has been nominated for a national award.

Julia Lowe, founder of Ilminster-based Farm Toys Online, has been shortlisted in the Rural Business Awards for Rural Entrepreneur of the Year.

Her business, at www.farmtoysonline.co.uk, has seen eight years of consecutive growth including a six per cent increase last year.

Mrs Lowe said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for such an great award and have my efforts recognised.

"A lot of thought has gone into every part of Farm Toys Online, from the different type of farm toys that we offer, to the way they are delivered, and it’s lovely to know that people appreciate how hard we’ve worked to make it a fantastic rural business."

Farm Toys online was founded after Julia became frustrated by the lack fun, quality toys available for her country-living kids Emily, Oliver and Harry.

She started the company by herself and now the firm works out of a 2000 square foot warehouse in Ilminster and have five members of permanent staff, as well seasonal employees during peak periods such as Christmas.

Kelly, one of the employees at Farm Toys Online, said: "Julia is a local mum of three and with a bright idea, to create an online shop that would make it easy for parents to find fantastically fun, top quality farm toys all in one place, she knew she had tapped into a real market need.

"Every country-loving parent she knew loved building up farm collections, but no one was offering all the ranges under one roof.

"Despite launching at the start of the recession, she has been able to transform a fledgling rural start-up, working out of a garage in Ilminster, to the credible online retailer it is today.

Because we specialise in farm toys and stock more than 3,000 different farm-themed products, even big stores like Hamleys can’t compete with us.

"Julia really deserves to win this not only because she has managed to create a successful rural business, but because she has created one that helps parents everywhere to inspire their children to love farming and the British countryside as much as she does."

The winners of the 13 categories will be announced at an awards ceremony later this year on October 13 at The Belfry Resort and Spa near Birmingham.