A HOST of local firms have made it to the finals of a prestigious award scheme celebrating small businesses.

The Muddy Stiletto Awards aim to highlight the unique, creative, quirky and most exciting businesses across the country.

Five finalists have now been announced in each of the 27 lifestyle categories for the Dorset, Somerset and Bristol region after customers cast their votes - and they include many Bridport and west Dorset businesses.

Customers are now invited to vote once more to decide who wins the coveted regional award. Each regional winner will also be considered for the first ever National Muddy Awards to find the ‘best of the best’ across all 28 'Muddy' counties.

Voting closes on Wednesday, June 15 at 5pm - so if there’s a business you love, make sure you vote (via https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/vote/)

Local firms in the running are:

Bar: DarkBear, Bridport

Beauty salon: Salon on the Square, Beaminster

Boutique stay: Outbuildings, Bridport and The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock

Café: Rise, West Bay

Children’s business: Boo’s Toy Shop, Poundbury

Day spa: Monart Day Spa, Poundbury and Summer Lodge, Evershot

Destination pub: The Fox Inn, Corscombe and The Three Horsehoes, Burton Bradstock

Farmshop/deli: Washingpool Farm Shop & Cafe, North Allington

Florist: The Dorset Flower Co, Dorchester

Hotel/inn: The King’s Arms, Dorchester

Local food & drink producer: Baboo Gelato, Bridport

Restaurant: Robin Wylde, Lyme Regis and The Station Kitchen, West Bay

Theatre/arts venue: Electric Palace, Bridport

Wedding venue: Mapperton House & Gardens

Women’s fashion: Colmer’s Hill Fashion, Symondsbury and Loco Loves, Dorchester

Colmers Hill Fashion Boutique is based at Symondsbury Estate and is now in its seventh year, despite a number of setbacks including being flooded and the pandemic.

Owner Penny Callaghan said: "As a team we are really excited to have been nominated and to have even got this far in the awards. We are so grateful to everyone who has voted once already and are now asking if everyone can vote again in this next round. We are up against some very well established boutiques in this category and in such a large region, so we really welcome everyone's support."

She added: "We have some customers that have been so loyal and supportive over the years that we consider them more as friends now.

"I think that is a recurring theme in Bridport where so many support local businesses and get to know and love the faces behind the businesses. That is probably why there are so many Bridport businesses that have made it to the finals in such a large, countrywide competition. We hope that there will be lots of small businesses in Bridport and surrounding areas that will make it all the way to winning in their category. We have shown support ourselves by voting for these local businesses and wish them all the best of luck."