A BUSINESS owner who organises weddings and funerals is through to the semi-finals of the West Country Women Awards 2022.

Minehead-based Amanda-Louise Knight runs Weddings, Proposals and Events to support couples across the region, arranging weddings, proposals and conducting marriage ceremonies as a celebrant and recently set up her funeral business.

She is among more than 1,000 nominations in the awards' 15 categories.

Amanda-Louise said: “Im over the moon to have been nominated.

"It was such a surprise to learn I was one of the six semi-finalists in the Small Business of the Year category.

"Over the last few years, it’s been tough with Covid, but with some creativity and restructuring, including the launch of our Somerset Wedding Day Dog Chaperone Service into my wedding business, has enabled the business to flourish.

"Being in business for yourself, I've worked hard in what I've believed in and put my heart and soul into it.

"With such a talented team too, it allowed me to follow my passion and I've recently opened my second business as an independent female-led funeral directors offering choice whether people want a gentle goodbye to a fabulous farewell.

"I wanted to create a female-led funeral directors covering Somerset and Devon based on kindness and openness understanding that everyone has different needs when it comes to arranging a funeral.

"My mission is to provide empathy, choice, and value.

"So, we take care of the person who has died, their families and our new approach continues to build up community support with our social bereavement coffee events.”