Ethical entrepreneur Claire Watt-Smith has been named as one of the top young business people in the country.

Ms Watt-Smith, 25, who runs fashion and giftware company BoBelle from her home in Yarnton, has been voted one of the Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs of the Year, and will pick up her prize at a special ceremony tonight.

She said: “It is really great to be recognised and I am very proud of the award. Encouraging eco-friendly behaviour is at the heart of BoBelle, but I am also trying to prove that eco- fashion can be fashionable and affordable. Fundamentally, I hope this recognition will lead my message to a wider audience.”

Ms Watt-Smith set up BoBelle as an Internet-based retailer a year ago while working at the head office of Monsoon Accessorize, and now runs the business full-time.

Earlier this month she opened her first concession in Top Shop’s branch at Oxford Circus, London, and today will open another concession as part of a collective of green retailers in a shop in Notting Hill.

Later this month she will launch her own accessories range and she is looking to build up the website as well as ultimately opening her own shop.

The Future 100 Awards which are open to entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, are organised by ethical business networking and training organisation Striding Out.