UK jeweller up for national award

A specialist jewellery designer based in Leeds has been shortlisted for the Designer of the Year Award at the 2005 UK Jewellery Awards.

Chapel Allerton jeweller, Andrew Geoghegan, launched his business from his parents' garden shed. He was shortlisted at last year's Jewellery Awards and was the joint winner of the 2003 Design Innovation Award.

The designer, who has been trading since 1997, only works with the most precious metals and stones such as 18-carat gold, platinum and diamonds. He has seen business grow by an average of 35 per cent year on year, with support from Leeds Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Geoghegan told the Yorkshire Evening Post: " It is a real honour that my work is being acknowledged and compared with some of the best designers across the country. To be shortlisted for the final six is a great achievement in its own right and I look forward to hearing the results."

The UK Jewellery Awards, now in their 12th year, are the industry's most prestigious prizes, with the winners announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. The 2005 awards ceremony takes place next month