ON the back of winning a county title, a Knutsford-based card designer has picked up a national award.

Bex Hassett, who produces the cards under the name 'Bexy Boo Designs', sealed the industry gong at the 'Henries' for the best hand finished card range.

This award came a week after she won the Cheshire Business Award for the best start-up business of 2015.

She ventured down to the 'Henries' - the Oscars of the card making world - for the ceremony held at the Lancaster Hotel in Mayfair on October 8.

"It is a very prestigious award within the greeting card industry and one I am so proud of," Bex told the Guardian.

"There were six finalists in each category and I was up against companies that have been in the greeting card industry for 20 plus years.

"It really was a true honour to even make it to the final, let alone win.

"It will now help me to establish myself within the industry and along with my Cheshire business best start up award, hopefully 'Bexy Boo' will continue to do fantastically well."

More than 700 greeting card industry publishers and retailers attended the event to honour the industry’s best greeting card ranges, with more than 14,000 greeting cards entered into the competition this year.

They were judged by a panel of more than 40 prestigious retailers, including buyers from John Lewis, Scribbler, Paperchase, Waitrose, Tesco, Waterstones and a host of leading independents.

Comedian Mark Watson, brought his own unique brand of humour to the event as host this year as compere.

Warren Lomax, joint owner of The Henries awards, said: “What a fantastic night for the UK greeting card industry. It is great to shine the spotlight on the fantastic creativity, innovation and design within the greeting card industry.”