A working mother is in the running for a national business trophy.

Victoria "Tory" Mogridge, from Aston, near Bampton, has been nominated for the Daily Express national franchisee of the year award.

'Tory' Mogridge

She is franchise director at the Oxford branch of staffing agency Select Appointments.

She joined 18 months ago after giving up a senior management position with Marks and Spencer, selling her home and moving to West Oxfordshire with her partner and son.

The Oxford franchise is now one of the company's fastest growing, with an increase of 18 per cent turnover in her first year. She heads a seven-strong team at the Cornmarket Street office.

She said: "Working in a market with almost zero unemployment, it is vital to provide clients and candidates with first-class services."