Blue Thistle Weddings, run by Janice Grimley-Evans, 59, who went to Hermitage Academy and later worked in the towns police station, was nominated in the wedding specialist category.

Janice, who runs the business in Perthshire, was shortlisted in the North East region for the second year running, winning the award last week.

She said: “I won again, it was a surprise.

“I was against stiff competition, I didn’t expect to win, I’m really delighted.

“It’s the couples I have worked with that nominated me. It’s nice that they support me.” She is no stranger to weddings, having been up the aisle herself twice and a bridesmaid for friends half a dozen times, something she says makes her 'the perfect wedding planner’.

Janice met her husband nearly 40 years ago, but the pair only got married four years ago.

It was her wedding that inspired Janice to become a plan the big day for others, after she found the experience stressful.

She said: “After I got married, I thought that if I had someone to help me with everything, it would have been easier.

“I’ve got 30 years of experience in event planning, having helped my brother with his clay pigeon shooting business for years.” The awards ceremony took place last Tuesday evening at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow.

Janice said she has not ruled out moving back to the town in the future.

She said: “A lot of my friends have moved back, I was over at the end of last year looking at property and had a bit of a reunion with them.”