A WOMAN visiting Ilminster said the decorations of a town centre shop “brought a tear” to her eye.

The Ilminster Home Hardware shop, on Silver Street, won the Victorian Evening Window Competition last week (Friday, November 18) thanks to its Christmas decorations and tribute to the Queen.

The woman, who was visiting from Tiverton, said the shop’s window stopped her in her tracks.

She also said: “They have captured the essence of Christmas along with our dear late Queen in this perfect tribute.

“It stopped me in my tracks and brought a tear to my eye. Simply wonderful and so full of detail.”

Philip Wyatt, owner of the shop and president of the Ilminster Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are over the moon. We are chuffed to bits for Heather, our window dresser, and the shop.

“This was part of the Victorian evening and we encourage shops to get involved. It always works really well.”

A message shared by the shop on social media read: “A final tribute to Queen Elizabeth ll in our entry to the Christmas window competition this year (Elizabethan Christmas/Fairytale Christmas).

“Heather, our amazing window dresser, has worked extremely hard this year on her design.

“Adding lots of lovely little details, from the Queen’s pet corgis names on their bowls to a marmalade sandwich in her handbag (a nod to Paddington bear) all making it look like the Queen has just stepped out of the room. We hope you all enjoy it.”

The photo gallery above shows some photos of the decorations with which the Ilminster Home Hardware, on Silver Street, won the competition.