AN individual gift shop in Tavistock beat hundreds of other retailers to scoop a prestigious industry award.

Pebbles in Brook Street won the best newcomer award for the South and Wales at The Greats award ceremony recently, and narrowly missed out on a second award for employee of the year.

Pebbles owner Sarah Renshaw said the team were thrilled to have won: 'I still can't believe it. It's just the best feeling — I'm speechless. It's fantastic for us as a team, great for a little shop and brilliant for Tavistock.'

The Greats awards, organised by Progressive Gifts and Home Worldwide, celebrate individual and multiple gift retailers, niche retailers, garden centres and supermarkets across the UK.

Shop assistant Sharon Statton was one of six national finalists for the employee of the year award, and although unsuccessful in that category, she was delighted with the shop's award. She said: 'We didn't think we'd done enough. They read out the nominations for the award and then there was a long, tense pause. We were sat at the table holding hands and when they said our name we stood up and screamed. The whole table was thrilled for us.'

The third member of the Pebbles team, Caroline Sivyer, said: 'It was a huge surprise to win. It was brilliant just to be nominated for the award, but to win it was amazing.'

The team have received many congratulatory cards, balloons and chocolates and have displayed their award in the shop window.

Sarah expressed thanks to the customers, and to Sharon and Caroline: 'Without them and their loyal support we wouldn't be where we are today.'