A CREDITON florist is now acknowledged as one of the top 10 florists in the country.
Donna Cann, who is a floral designer at Susan's Florist, 131 High Street, competed in the 2009 British Teleflorist Design Championships at Tatton Park, Cheshire, where she came third in the country, but was voted first in the public vote.
Donna (23), who lives at Bow, has worked at Susan's Florists, run by Susan Tucker, for the past six and a half years.
At the event Donna, and the other competitors, were asked to complete a bridal bouquet for a Royal weddding which had a musical theme to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Handel's death.
Donna explained: "I created a floor-standing arrangement to depict Handel's "Water Music".
"It featured a big waterfall with a lot of grasses to complete the waterfall effect, as well as delphiniums, amiranthis, lizianthis, foliage and leaves.
"It also had blue lights at the bottom to represent water.
"I had tillandsia moss flowing down like froth on the water exploding a the bottom," she said.
Donna also had to produce a memorial wreath to celebrate Handel's life, both of these using flowers which were provided.
She also had to produce a surprise piece, the structure of which and flowers she took brought with her. This was a display representing fireworks.
Donna worked for hours under hot lights and television cameras to complete her arrangements, all the time watched by hundreds of people and the two judges, top florists, Judith Derby and Ian Lloyd.
Susan's Florists was closed for the day to enable all the staff to go along to support Donna.
When the public vote was announced, Donna certainly received the loudest cheer and was cheered again when she was announced as the third prize winner.
She received a bottle of champage, certificate and £100 voucher for floristry sundries.
Susan Tucker said: "Donna is a star.
"You really have to think on your feet and depict the theme from the flowers you are given.
"We are all tremendously proud of her."
alan-quick@crediton
couriernewspaper.co.uk