A SOUTH Gloucestershire mum of twins has been named Business Mother of the Year at a prestigious award ceremony.

Jackie Novels, 37, who runs Meals for Squeals baby food cookery school in Coalpit Heath, was voted for by more than 800 people to win the title.

She was presented with the Natwest Venus Awards title at a ceremony at the Marriott hotel in Bristol last night to receive her award from Paulina Gillespie, presenter on Heart FM radio which sponsored the award.

Jackie, who grew up in Frampton Cotterell, said: “I was stunned when they called out my name as the winner.

“It’s less than a year since I set up my business, so to win such an accolade in my first year of trading is amazing.”

She added: “It’s a particularly relevant award to me because all the people I teach are mums or dads themselves.

“I can understand what they’re going through as I’ve got one-year-old twins myself.”

Meals for Squeals runs a range of three-hour courses teaching parents to make homemade baby and toddler food. Visit www.mealsforsqueals.co.uk for more information.