Apothecary64, the Cornerswell Road aroma shop, has had one of its products put forward as a finalist in the 2021 Free From Skincare Awards.

A panel of experts chose the shop's Lavender and Rosemary Hand Sanitiser alongside ten other finalists in the Hand, Foot and Nail Care category.

This comes just two months after Apothecary64 opened its doors for the first time.

The competition, now in its tenth year, invites business owners to submit their products to Free From.

According to the competition's website, testers then "put products through their paces for four weeks, assessing how the products do their job, and how they benefit the part of the body on which they are used."

Successful products are those that are 'free from' some of the many ingredients avoided by some consumers due to ethical, health, religious or environmental concerns.

They are then selected based on their efficacy, design and general quality.

Apothecary64's entry is made with lavender and rosemary essential oils, moisturising glycerin and 70% alcohol.

All of the shop's products use natural ingredients and are produced lovingly by owner Craig Parker Trott.

Craig was shocked to discover that he had reached the finals this morning, after applying to the national award with low expectations.

"I can't believe it. I'm so excited I could burst," he told Nub News.

"I just decided a few months ago to enter the product in the competition because I had loads of feedback on it. I just thought, what the hell? What am I going to lose?

"I sent loads of samples off and a panel of beauty industry experts tested it and I'm just really really happy to find out today that I've been made a finalist.

"It's a win for the town locally. I've only had the business a year. I want to win now, I want to get gold."

Winners will be announced early next month. They will be selected by a panel of industry experts following a week-long judging process.