A Kent florist has beaten more than 1,000 others across the country to win a national award for her shop.

Kalina Wierszycka, 50, took over at Isle Flower Creations in Sheppey at the end of 2017 when popular Philippa Doucy retired after 23 years.

She sent pictures of the Minster store’s exotic shop-front to flower company Interflora, which judged it to be the best in England.

It was a great moment for the mum, who opted to settle down in Kent to spend more time with her son, swapping her daily commute into London - where she worked work as a hotel florist - to a quick trip across the Sheppey Crossing from her home just outside Sitttingbourne.

The Milton Regis resident said: “I found out last week and the whole team is so excited by it all. We didn’t think we’d win but they clearly liked our display.

“We’ve had lots of comments and messages from other florists around the country which makes it even more special.

“We were asked at the end of lockdown to do something inviting to get customers back in the shop, so we thought we’d do something exotic which looks a bit like a holiday destination.”

Kalina was a florist in her native Poland before moving to Kent with husband Michal - a senior production manager with a fruit firm in Teynham.

She admitted the award was a reminder of the tough decision to work closer to home, as well as the struggle the store endured during the pandemic.

“We lost hundreds of customers in comparison to the previous years,” Kalina added.

“We were working, but behind closed doors, and could only take orders over the phone, for collection or to be delivered.

“It wasn’t an easy time at all, but we did our best and managed to survive.

“We’re so grateful to all our lovely customers who have continued to support us throughout everything. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

As a prize Kalina won two tickets to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show later this year.

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