ONE of Tavistock's individual gift shops has been given double recognition by the prestigious retail awards The Greats.

Pebbles in Brook Street has been chosen as a finalist for the best newcomer in the South and Wales category, and sales assistant at Pebbles, Sharon Statton, has been nominated as one of six finalists nationally in the employee of the year category of the awards.

Pebbles owner Sarah Renshaw said: 'We are absolutely over the moon to have been chosen — I was totally speechless.'

The three-strong team at Pebbles nominated themselves for The Greats awards, which are organised by Progressive Gifts and Home Worldwide and celebrate individual and multiple gift retailers, niche retailers, garden centres and supermarkets as well as outstanding retail employees.

The third member of the Pebbles team, Caroline Sivyer, said: 'These awards are the top thing for retailers. You are somebody when you've got an award.'

The Pebbles team nominated themselves by writing a detailed appraisal as to why they believe they should win the best newcomer award.

Sarah said: 'We just thought we'd have a go. Sharon didn't know we'd nominated her for employee of the year so it was a big surprise when she got the letter. She's still up in the air now.'

The team now have a nail-biting wait for the award ceremony in London in May.

Caroline said: 'For a little individual shop in Tavistock to win an award would be a big achievement. For a place like Tavistock to have the independents acknowledged would be one in the eye for the multiples.'