The bosses of two fledgling businesses are celebrating after scooping a major award.

Down-to-Earth Trading of Wallingford and Henley-based Vetline Direct have been revealed as the winners of the South Oxfordshire New Business Competition.

Down-to-Earth Trading was set up by Paula Elias after she had been selling her products at farmers markets for several years.

Having realised there was a real demand for quality local produce, she opened her first shop in Wallingford in 2005 which split into two shops a year later - one for food and garden products and the other for designer homeware and skincare goods.

There is also a café and plans to open further shops in the local area.

Ms Elias said: "Down-to-Earth is very privileged to have won this award and is confident that the facilities and advice provided will be the springboard to the business's future success."

Vetline Direct was set up in June 2006 by Steve Newbury to offer telephone access to a qualified vet 24 hours a day.

Having grown rapidly, the company employs three vets to provide a round-the-clock advice service.

Mr Newbury said: "Vetline Direct is very proud to win this award and we would like to thank all our staff and clients for making this a successful first year."

Both winners receive a business advice package from Oxford Brookes University Business School and company experts at Little Milton-based Business Boffins.

Down-to-Earth is also taking on a furnished office in Hampden House on the Monument Business Park at Chalgrove for a year for free while Vetline Direct will take a virtual office there to handle calls and administration.

Competition co-ordinator, Paul Mabbutt of Jennings of Garsington, which owns and manages the Park, said: "We've had a really impressive list of entries and the judges had a tough job."