A shop owner in St Albans has vowed to put up a fight to ensure rising business rates do not drive her out of St Albans.

Elizabeth Barber, from St Albans Music Centre, has told the Review how she was dealt a devastating blow last week.

The owner of the 53-year-old business in Holywell Hill said on the same day she received a letter to say she has been nominated in the Specialist Shops category in the Retailer of the Year competition, she also received notice of her business rate increase.

Mrs Barber said after the music centre's tenant, Quench Christian Bookshop, was forced to close, her main source of income was lost.

However, she said she will do all she can to appeal against the £100 a month increase in her business rates, meaning she will now have to pay £900 a month.

Mrs Barber said: "We are going to fight every inch of the way and it's not just us that I am fighting for.

"This issue has been creeping up for the last few years. I believe our business must be saved as it is unique and cannot be replicated within the city."