A WEST Devon artist has beaten off stiff competition to be given a major business award in the recent Mumpreneur of the Year ceremony.

Lucy Tapper, of Lucy's World which provides a wide range of personalised gifts and cards, was a highly commended runner-up in the best new product category of the awards, open to mothers who are successfully combining raising a young family with the demands of setting up and running a new business.

Lucy's award was decided by a panel of top entrepreneurs, including former Dragon and Mumpreneur Hilary Devey.

Lucy said: 'We were delighted to make the final shortlist of eight, out of the 2,000 competitors. To finish second makes all our hard work and persistence worthwhile and encourages us to develop our company further.

'It will be a little easier for us now that our young daughters are both at school in Milton Abbot.'

Lucy, who works under her maiden name of Tapper, completed a fine arts degree at the University of Brighton before moving to Devon and starting a family. She is married to Tavistock actor and TV presenter Steve Wilson.

Lucy's business is proving to be so successful that Steve has cut back on his TV work presenting live features on ITV's This Morning and has relinquished his major role in his Lifer BMX business in Tavistock. Steve and Lucy are now partners in their newly-formed limited company and are employing five other local people.

Lucy's creative talents and Steve's business and PR skills are combining well to extend their range of personalised merchandise.

Their first joint children's book 'Hedgehugs' is being published in January and will be available at National Trust shops and other outlets.