ANDOVER businesses scooped a number of accolades at a recent countywide awards ceremony.

The VIP Business Awards, organised by My VIP Card and held last Friday at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, celebrated the successes of businesses from all across Hampshire.

Amongst the award winners were three Andover-based companies, including Loulou’s Lovely Letters, Wet Banana and Trainmaster, while Finkley Down Farm was highly commended in the Business of the Year category.

Loulou’s Lovely Letters, run by Ginette Pope, creates cards and prints inspired by letters, words and quotes, and was one of the winners in the Happy Home Award category last week.

Wet Banana, a clothing company set up by Lou Dixon which produces environmentally friendly slogan t-shirts and sweatshirts, also tasted success in the Eco Warrior Award category.

And Trainmaster, which organised train-themed parties for youngsters, was named a winner of the Parents Choice Award.

Chloe Cotton set up Trainmaster in 2018 and recently took the business national. She says it was her son who gave her the idea to set up the company.

“I’ve got three boys,” Chloe told the Advertiser, “and when my youngest was born my eldest was really into trains, but I just couldn’t find anything train-themed for him to do.

“I thought, well I will start something and see if it works. I thought it probably wouldn’t work but it’s just gone from strength-to-strength.”

Chloe now runs regular events at the Picket Twenty Community Centre, with the next one planned for this weekend, where the room is filled with a giant train track plus a ride-along train for children to enjoy.

Chloe added: “His brother kept ripping the track apart and I thought if I build a big enough track he wouldn’t be able to destroy it.”

The events also allow children to take part in other activities, including fancy dress, crafts and reading, and are now being staged at other venues up and down the country.

To find out more about Trainmaster and this weekend’s event, go to hampshire.trainmaster.co.uk or search ‘Trainmaster Andover’ on Facebook.

For further information on Loulou’s Lovely Letters go to loulouslovelyletters.co.uk, and for more on Wet Banana visit wetbanana.co.uk