A YOUNG apprentice photographer from Bridestowe has been shortlisted for a national business award.

Milly Davies, 19, has made the final eight in the running for the Apprentice of the Year Award run by the Small and Medium Enterprise National Business Awards.

Milly was nominated by her boss Sam Farlap of Farlap Photography, just outside Bridestowe, who she has worked for since the age of 16. She is travelling to London for the award ceremony at the Wembley Arena on December 1.

Milly works for Sam alongside attending Plymouth College of Art and Design one day a week. The Bridestowe-based agency specialises in equine and canine photography and countryside pursuits.

Sam said: ‘Milly is a fabulous apprentice. She’s brought her own style of youthful exuberance to the business, and her enthusiasm for new challenges, and the extra effort she puts into her job, beyond the required level, makes her a real asset to Farlap.

‘She’s studied really hard and is always willing to try out new skills. To get to the final eight out over 80 finalists is a great achievement and we are immensely proud of her and wish her all the luck in the world for the finals in London.’

Milly said: ‘Sam entered me online and they got back a few weeks later to say that I had been shortlisted for the final. I’m her apprentice. I’ve worked for her for two years now, and I’ve just started my second apprenticeship with her.’

Among the images which clinched her place on the shortlist was one of an eagle, which was used by renowned fashion designer Neil Barrett to be superimposed on his T-shirts, jumpers and coats at his catwalk show in Milan in 2014.

The fashion designer commissioned the images from Farlap. Milly has a natural affinity for Farlap’s subjects, which have graced many magazines in the hunting, shooting and countryside pursuits arenas.

‘I originally wanted to be a vet but I didn’t like needles and blood,’ said Milly. ‘I did odd jobs for Sam while I was at college and it turned into an apprenticeship. I have been working for Sam since I finished my GCSEs and I really enjoy it. It is such a good job.’