A LOCAL independent bespoke jeweller has won recognition at a prestigious awards ceremony dubbed the "jewellery Oscars".

Werk by TCJ Designs, which has been based in York for the past 30 years, scooped gold and silver awards for various pieces at the Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council awards.

The company has a team of just four, including co-owners Mandy Morris and Carl Johnson, goldsmith Paul Alexander and junior goldsmith Rob Casson, at its three-floor premises on Stonegate.

Mandy took gold for her jewellery design, A New Dawn, a red carpet necklace on display in the shop, while husband Carl got a silver award for his necklace, An Underwater Love Story, which was inspired by the BBC's Blue Planet.

Mandy said: "We love what we do and we all work hard, so it's great to get this recognition.

"We're a small business, so we feel like we're punching above our weight competing against bigger companies in London."