Karina Hryckowian, of Station Road, Epworth, impressed judges at the recent World Skills UK Competition held at York's Askham Bryan College.

The 24-year-old took first place for her bridal bouquet, headdress and body adornment entries and she almost swept the board as her table centre creation also finished runner-up.

A former South Axholme Community School pupil, Karina is currently studying at Doncaster College for her Level Two City and Guilds qualification in floristry.

She said: "The competition is the X-Factor of floristry and it's basically a hands-on type of thing which is really good and it can make someone's career."

Demanding judges with an eye for detail inspected all entries and were impressed with Karina's work which had a tropical wedding theme, including white roses and woven China grass.

She added: ""I think some people think it's a lot easier than it is but to the untrained eye you can get picked up on the littlest things. When you create something it has to be perfect and there's a lot goes into that."

After a long wait judges announced the results and the mother-of-one was delighted to receive certificates for her winning entries as well as being voted the overall competition winner.

She said: "I have never won anything in my whole life, even bingo, so to win this was absolutely amazing. I would love to be a florist and do well for my little girl, Ylana, who's nearly three and she is my driving force."

Karina was competing in the intermediate category and she must now wait to find out if she has enough points to make it through to the national final of the competition, held later this year at Tatton Park in Cheshire.

Kerry Marr, Doncaster College's assistant director for landbased studies in the academy of service industries, said: "Karina is a perfect student with bags of talent and is a joy to teach. Her work is truly brilliant."