A FLORISTRY student from St Helens College won first place at the Southport Flower Show.

Adult learner Eefje Govaerts, 42, is delighted after coming first in the show.

She used flowers the colour of the Brazil flag to create her winning arrangement.

Eefje relocated from Belgium to Liverpool nine years ago to be with her partner.

With ambitions of a career in floristry, she took the decision to enrol onto a course.

Eefje, who has a five-year-old son Adam, said: “When I found out I'd won, I couldn’t believe it. It was a very surreal experience which I enjoyed a lot.

"The florists in Belgium are very different, with bigger shops and more fresh flowers so I wanted to bring that over here."

She said the evening course fits well around her lifestyle of part-time work and childcare.

"I was apprehensive about being an older student at the college but I felt at ease straight away," she said. "I work part-time, five days a week in Marks and Spencer and I am also busy with my little boy so I have to be organised but this is the best decision I’ve made.

"One day I would love to open my own shop.”

After hearing about the Southport Flower Show, Eefje decided to enter the competition despite the fact that it meant changing the dates of her holiday.

For information about floristry courses at St Helens College call 0800 99 66 99 or visit sthelens.ac.uk.