Echilhampton mum Katie Priestley, 32, was delighted when her bouquet was judged the best in the regional heat of the British Floristry Association WorldSkills UK competition.
Mrs Priestley, a former fashion designer who has just completed a floristry course at Wiltshire College with distinction, was prompted to enter the competition in Dorchester by her tutor Ann Paisley.
Mrs Priestley had to complete three tasks. The first was to create a piece to take to the competition, which looked like a cushion and was inspired by interior design.
At the event each competitor had to make a wired corsage and hand-tied bouquet.
She said: “I entered for the experience and the fun of taking part.
“It was a complete surprise when I was told I had won. I was delighted.”
Mrs Priestley’s career involved a lot of travel. When she was expecting her son Milo, who is now nearly two, she felt it called for a change of direction.
She considered floristry as she had always been interested in gardening and plants and is now thinking of setting up her own business.
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