A SHOP in Penarth has been declared the "purl" of the knitting world after being named Wales' Best Independent Local Yarn Store.

Yarn 'n' Yarns on Cornerswell Road, Penarth won the prize in the 2014 British Knitting Awards, much to the delight of owner Christine Richardson who only took over the shop less than 12 months ago.

Former opera singer Christine is still unsure which one of her customers nominated the shop for the award but would like to thank them regardless, along with every who voted for Yarn 'n' Yarns.

"It's absolutely brilliant," she said, "I still can't believe it."

The winners will be awarded at a ceremony at Alexandra Palace, following an official announcement in Let's Knit magazine 's November edition.

Christine, 60, spent 30 years as soprano in the English National Opera before going freelance with the Welsh National Opera for a further nine years before taking over Yarn 'n' Yarns last year.

When she started at the shop, Christine said she would never have imagined that in less than a year's time it would lead to her attending an awards ceremony in London.

"That's the last thing I would have thought. Considering I don't really know what I'm in doing," she joked.

"Still, I must be doing something right.

"I would like to thank my customers and say thank you to everyone who voted. It's great for the shop but it's also great for Cornerswell Road."

Yarn 'n' Yarns will be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday, September 26, from 10am until 1pm.