A FLORIST who ditched her radio career to make bridal bouquets has won an award for customer service.

Kirsty Grieve, from Abingdon, started her floristry business three years ago after deciding to chase her dream.

Now Flowers By Kirsty has been ranked by customers on a bridal website as the best wedding florist in the UK for service.

The 35-year-old said: "I knew I'd been nominated so I went to the awards ceremony in London and they announced my name. I was thrilled, chuffed.

"Reputation for me is the key, it is so important because I don't have a shop."

It is the second year in a row she has claimed the Guides For Brides 5* Customer Services Award, but last year's title was regional rather than national.

Miss Grieve, who gets up as early as 3.30am to prepare for flower shows and weddings, used to work at Fox FM and Heart London as a producer.

She said: "I always had an interest in flowers - if there were ever flowers in the house as a kid I would arrange them.

"I did a floristry course at Abingdon College 11 years ago which gave me confidence and it grew from there.

"Friends and family asked me to do their weddings and I always loved it.

"I used to put on the breakfast show and was always gearing up every day for something new.

"That's how I see weddings - this is the one day most women dreamt for most of their lives. I get a real buzz out of coming up with ideas."

Miss Grieve beat about 90 competitors in Oxfordshire and hundreds of others across the country, and picked up her award at a ceremony last month.