A graduate from St Albans has won £2,000 at an annual business start-up competition.

Francesca Heath was highly commended at the awards dinner for her unisex skincare range, Skye & Fenn.

The 24-year-old marketing graduate said: "It feels amazing to have been recognised amongst the tough competition this year. 

"I’m delighted with my prize which will help me to open pop up stores and market stalls and to develop an online presence for Skye & Fenn." 

After submitting a video entry and a business plan in the first two rounds, Francesca went head to head with eight other finalists to impress the judges in a live Dragons’ Den style pitch.

The annual competition is held by the University of Hertfordshire.