L'amour Bridal in South Shields is an award-winning wedding shop, based in Boldon Lane.

On Thursday evening, it picked up Excellence in Customer Service at the South Tyneside Enterprise Parnership (Step) awards.

The shop specialises in supplying a wide range of bridal gear from top designers.

The shop also incorporates Curves by L'amour which caters for women between a size 18 and 34.

The business also includes a separate menswear section – L'amour Men, catering for everyone from the bridegroom to the page boy.

And it has just added L'amour Mother of the Bride and L'amour Hats to the business.

In addition, L'amour Bridal offers various accessories, plus prom dresses and other dresswear for formal occasions.

Mrs Caldwell said: "When we started the business in October 2004, no one thought it would work but after all the trials and tribulations, we have really shown those who doubted us.

"We're just finishing the last phase of the extension in L'amour Men and we're now looking to extend again. A grant from South Tyneside Means Business will allow us to do that.

"Now we have just picked up the excellence in customer service award at the Step Awards."

L'amour Bridal and Beamish Hall are just two of our sponsors at the Gazette fashion show.

L'amour will have their own models taking to the stage.

Mrs Caldwell added: "It's so important being involved in the Gazette fashion show, particularly as it raises money for cancer charities.

"It's also important to me to have a range of different women and promote a healthy body image."

Fashion High-fliers is being held on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, at the Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields.

It will raise money for our two charities, the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, and Cancer Connections.

Its main sponsors are Pet-Supermarket and Thompsons Solicitors.

Asda in Boldon, Colman's, Beamish Hall, Barbour, Desire By Debenhams, L'Amour Bridal, Port of Tyne, South Tyneside College, Specsavers and Tavistock Leisure, are also sponsoring the event.

Tickets for Fashion High-fliers are now on sale, priced £10, including a goody bag and great prizes up for grabs.

For tickets and further details of the show, call the Customs House's box office on 454 1234.