A FLORIST from Penarth has won an award at what has been described as the ‘Olympics’ of floral art.

Toni Horn,e of Lilypad Florist in Glebe Street, finished third in the Colours of the World category at the World Association of Floral Artists (WAFA) World Flower Show in Barbados last month.

Representing Wales, she travelled over with her friend Sharon Dower - with whom she previously won the silver medal at the Chelsea Florist of the Year awards.

The competition in Barbados is run by the WAFA, for florist to ‘share ideas and trends in floral art’.

The 12th edition of the show took place between June 18-25 in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados.

Ms Horne competed across other floral artists from across the world.

Ms Horne said: “I was so shocked and overwhelmed.

“It was surreal being surrounded by so many of my idols.

“So many customers have said they would have loved to see my design so I am going to recreate it as close as possible in the shop window.”

Ms Horne recently exhibited at the box office of the RHS flower show in Cardiff - the society’s first major outdoor event of the year.

She also provided the arrangement for the entrance to the show in 2016 and 2017.