AN independent Ilminster business has celebrated its 20th anniversary in the best way possible - by being named the best florist in the county.

Cottage Flowers, based in East Street, is run by Angie Blackwell along with her team of five.

The company was recently nominated for the top florist in the county by rural lifestyle blog Muddy Stilettos, before beating the opposition to be named as Somerset’s best.

Angie was keen to thank the staff, which is made up of Brenda Cornish, Jacalyn Arscott, Kathy Harris, Holly Harris and Laura Searle.

“Brenda has been the longest member of staff, she has been with me from the beginning,” Angie said.

“It is our 20 year anniversary this year, so the award has come at a really good time for us.”

As well as running the floristry shop, Cottage Flowers also hold workshops throughout the year, Angie said.

“We have had a really great year and at the moment we are doing lots of lovely summer workshops and bits like that,” she added.

“There are more dates to come as we hold workshops throughout the summer.”

In the past, some of these workshops have seen thousands of pounds raised for good causes in Ilminster, most notably the town’s Christmas lights and the Warehouse Theatre’s expansion fund.

Muddy Stillettos was first set up as an online blog in 2011.

In November 2012, it expanded into a business aiming to provide ‘the urban guide to the countryside’.

It now holds annual awards for 19 counties, with five businesses shortlisted for a number of categories before people vote for their favourite.

Kathy Harris has worked for the Ilminster company for around three years as a delivery driver, and her daughter Holly also works for the business as a florist.

She said: “I am proud really, of the girls in the shop.

“We have been really successful, and the six of us in the team are chuffed.”

For more information about services on offer from Cottage Flowers, visit www.cottageflowersandmore.co.uk.

Alternatively, for more on Muddy Stilettos and the awards, got to muddystilettos.co.uk.