A YOUNG fashion designer who hopes to be the next Karen Millen has scooped a top business award.

Poppy Verkaaik, who trades as Poppy Parker in Northgate, Canterbury, was named Kent Foundation Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the medieval splendour of Allington Castle, near Maidstone.

The bubbly 30-year old with an Irish/Dutch background gave up occupational therapy to set up her designer boutique two years ago.

She sells clothing, jewellery and accessories, much of it made and designed by herself. She promotes her outlet as offering "designer styles at high street prices" and also offers style advice and image make-overs.

After being presented with her award and cheque for £500, she said: "I am just so thrilled, I didn’t expect it. I’ve never been happier, I really feel things are going from strength to strength."

As for her future ambitions, she added: "I’d like to be the next Karen Millen, I really would. I would also like to become better known through concessions in bigger high street stores." She is also setting up a website to sell her wares worldwide, especially to the Asian market.

Gillingham’s Emeline Pillay and Karnilla Bell won the best marketing awards for their business W*Indies Event Caterers which specialises in West Indian cuisine at outdoor events, private parties and corporate functions.

Rolvenden-based Mark Gilchrist, whose business Game For Everything, specialises in hand made game produce, won the Most Promising Start-up Award.

Vanessa Alcock, a single mum who set up S’VIVE coffee shop in Sheerness three years ago, won her second award in a fortnight when she was presented with the Foundation Trustees special award for businesses that have progressed beyond the start-up phase. Vanessa recently won a Prince’s Trust regional award.

Kent Foundation, founded in 1985, partners Kent County Council and the Prince’s Trust to support young people. Chairman Allan Mowatt said: "All the businesses are really quite different and it shows the talent we have across the county."