A Maldon lingerie shop has won a national award for the care it provides to women who are recovering from breast cancer surgery.

The Bra Consultancy in Edward's Walk, Maldon, has been awarded The Stars Underlines Special Care Recognition Award 2020.

The Stars Underlines Best Shop Awards 2020 are The Oscars of the Lingerie Industry. Launched in 2007, these awards are the only independent recognition of excellence in intimate apparel, swimwear and leg wear retailing in the UK.

The Special Care Recognition Award, sponsored by lingerie company Anita, is only awarded to lingerie shops specialising in post-mastectomy care, offering the fitting of prosthesis, post-surgical underwear and swimwear.

Michelle Duncan, Anita UK Sales and Marketing Manager, said: "Anita is delighted to be awarding The Bra Consultancy the Stars Special Recognition Award for their excellent customer service and wide-ranging experience fitting mastectomy bras for women after breast surgery.

"Their glowing customer reviews pay tribute to their passionate approach to every woman they fit.

"The Bra Consultancy makes sure that each and every customer in their shop walks away with their confidence restored and a well-fitting and comfortable bra, and it is for this reason that Anita believe that this award is well and truly deserved."

The Bra Consultancy was launched in 2015, moving to their established boutique in Edwards Walk in the High Street in February, 2020.

The business has two parts, with the first catering for women during or following breast cancer treatment, with director and owner, Julie Blanche, and senior fitting consultant, Kayleigh Smith, both specialists in the fitting of breast prosthesis and post-surgery lingerie.

The second part to the business caters for women buying mainstream lingerie, but especially those who struggle to find good-fitting underwear on the High Street. The boutique has lingerie available in sizes 28-52 AA-K and cup sized swimwear, as well as teen, sports and maternity and nursing bras.

Julie said: "Overall, our greatest ambition is to help more women find added confidence through the power of perfectly fitted lingerie.

"We aim to give a personalised shopping experience in an exclusive and relaxed environment to every single customer who walks through our doors, whether that be for post-mastectomy lingerie, swimwear or mainstream bras. Words cannot express how delighted we are to have received such a prestigious industry award, particularly during a year that has been so tough for so many. We look forward to continuing with one of our greatest ambitions - to stress size inclusivity and encourage body positivity."

Kayleigh added: "2020 has been an extremely difficult year, both personally and for the business, so to have won such an incredible award truly leaves me speechless. All I can say is, this one's for you, Granddad!"