A woman who turned her lifelong love of pugs into an award winning business said the first person she wanted to tell was her late mum.

The Pug Snug, based in Great Barton, won crowned the UK's best boarding business after reaching the final five at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.

Business owner Heather Scott started the Pug Snug after her mother, Jeni, died three years ago on Thursday from breast cancer after receiving a diagnosis in 1989.

 She said: "My mum was diagnosed with cancer again in 2016, it worsened in 2020, and she died a year later.

"I had sold my house in Bury St Edmunds and moved to Great Barton so I could look after her.

"After she died, I felt a bit lost not being a carer anymore so my friend encouraged me to set up the business."

Ms Scott believes she got 'mystery shopped' for her award win (Image: The Pug Snug) Ms Scott trained to receive a licence to look after dogs and said she has always had a lifetime love of pugs.

The business opened and in the first month earnt £50.

Ms Scott said: "I wondered if it would even work after that first month, was what I was doing too niche?

"Christmas 2022 changed that, it picked up and flew."

The Pug Snug works on giving the pugs a home away from home, Ms Scott even lets them sleep in her bed if they sleep in bed with their owners.

She said: "The pugs will get anything they need, I get so much joy seeing the pugs happy and knowing the owners can relax with their little darlings in my care."

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The awards were held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Stoke on Trent on Thursday, November 7.

The pug owners get photos and emails throughout the day to update them on their pets (Image: The Pug Snug) More than 350 businesses and finalists attended the event. 

The business owner said: "The initial invite after becoming a finalist shocked me, but I really didn't think I'd win.

"I was nervous, but when they said I had won, I just thought 'no way you have got to be kidding me'.

"After setting this up after my mum passed, the first person I wanted to tell that I had won was her.

"I just know my parents would have been so proud, my dad loved pugs too."

Heather Scott with her award at the ceremony (Image: The Pug Snug) Ms Scott said the award is sitting on her dining room table until she displays it for everyone to see.