A FLORIST from Wroughton has been chosen as a regional finalist for the south west in a national wedding awards scheme.

Rosy Lea Florists, on Wroughton High Street, won enough votes from brides across the South West to make it into the last few for the final of The Wedding Industry Awards next month.
Jody Leahy opened up Rosy Lea Florists around four years ago after working in her mum’s shop, The Florist Factory, on Faringdon Road in Swindon.
Despite her success, it wasn’t always the path she thought she’d take in life.
“To be honest I didn’t actually want to be a florist,”she told the Advertiser yesterday.
 “My mum fell poorly when they first opened and so I quit my job to go and work there to keep the business going. 
“Then I realised I was good at it, so I just fell into it from a bad situation which turned into a good situation. 
“Now I’ve found my own style and I love it.”
Jodie said she did the floral arrangements for up to 70 weddings a year. 
“Because I live in Wroughton I know everyone from the village, “ she said. 
“Everyone knows everyone else by first names so it’s really nice. I think they like to support their local businesses.” 
As well as weddings she is kept pretty busy all year round.
“I’m normally too busy to apply for these things, we only had two weeks to go when I entered the competition so I didn’t think for one second I would get through.
“Christmas is manic,”she added. 
“December’s my busiest time, I’m nervous thinking about it because it’s going to be so busy.”
Jodie also does wreath making classes and sells a lot of table arrangements, even Christmas flowers.
She will travel down to Devon for the finals with her mum on Wednesday November 21.
Cake makers Frost and Crumb from Swindon and caterers the Sausage and Mash Company are also finalists.