HIGH Street heroine Claire Robertson is a finalist in the hunt to find a champion of England.

The manager of Wellworths in Dorchester is in the running for a national award for an individual who embodies English values.

Mum-of-two Claire hit the headlines when she beat the recession and took over the former Woolworths store in Dorchester town centre.

Her steely grit and sheer determination to turn the shop into independent store Wellworths was seen in a BBC1 prime-time documentary.

Claire, 34, of Yeovil, saved 20 Woolworths staff members’ jobs and worked round the clock to open Wellworths on time and make it a success.

She said: “It was overwhelming to find out I’d been shortlisted – I was really pleased.

“I’ve had so much support from the local community throughout this and I really hope that people vote for me.

“I think that being called a champion of the High Street is something that is part of England’s traditional heritage.

“There’s so much that is important about the High Street in terms of meeting people and getting out and about.”

The ultimate champion of England, organised in conjunction with a national newspaper, will be announced on St George’s Day, April 23.

Claire said that Wellworths would be stocking a small range of St George’s Day products and the store would be decorated in honour of the patron saint’s day.

Claire hopes that the stir caused by Wellworths is paying off for Dorchester as a whole.

She added: “I really hope Dorchester is put back on the map. I’ve spoken to many people in the shop who made a detour to the town to come to the shop and have then gone off and done other things.”

If Claire wins the award – which is being run by The Sun newspaper and Bombardier brewery – she will be invited to a gala lunch in London and presented with the honour by football legend Sir Geoff Hurst.

You can cast a vote for Claire by visiting the website www.bombardier.co.uk/thesun.