A FASHION designer who began her business in the front room of her house has won 'The New Business of the Year Award'.

Saleha Bagas was recognised at the English Asian Business Awards after an anonymous nomination for her self-named business.

The 26-year-old, who launched her own fashion brand in 2014, said she was "shocked" to win the award. She said: "'I thought there was no chance of me winning and decided it would just be a good networking event so I was shocked when I found out I had won. It's nice to get the recognition for my work and it gives me a boost and an incentive to do better."

Mrs Bagas began her business from the living room of her home in Lostock while caring full time for her terminally ill mother.

What began as 30 pieces, sold to friends and family, soon grew by word of mouth and two years on she now has 200 designs of modest clothing, She also makes wedding dresses and has her own studio in Bolton.

But it was her father, who worked in the rag trade business and passed away when she was 14-years-old, that inspired her passion for fashion. The fashion and design graduate added: "I would watch him work on his sewing machine and go through his embroidery patterns. After he died I really wanted to hold on to something he loved."

Mrs Bagas has had her work showcased in Vogue and sells to stores all over the country and overseas in Dubai.

She now hopes that her award will help in her future goal to be recognised in the competitive market in the Middle East.