AN ARTISAN skin care business near Ruthin has won two national wards at the UK's largest gift trade fair.

Bathing Beauty, the Llangynhafal soap and moisturiser manufacturer founded by former model and Ruthin osteopath George Jones, won Best Beauty Bath and Spa Gift and Best Ethical Gift at this year's Spring Fair at the NEC Birmingham, widely considered the UK's leading show for the gift trade.

Mrs Jones, who in 2010 initially set out to help her children's sensitive skin using her years of experience in the beauty industry, in which she modelled in Paris and Milan for campaigns such as Burberry and Emporio Armani, now runs the successful business and employs five people alongside her osteopath, Well Street Clinic in Ruthin which she co-founded with husband Simeon Jones.

Mrs Jones said she is "delighted" about the awards for her Craft Your Own Herbal Hand Salve Kit and Green and Serene vegan and palm oil free soap, which show the company is hard at work and ethical in outlook. She said:"We are delighted to receive all three awards, this is a great recognition for our company on the national stage”

"We are particularly pleased to have won Best Ethical Gift for our range of palm oil free, zero waste soaps. They are vegan, cruelty-free and helps with a range of problems, from pain caused by arthritis to sports injuries. It is used by semi-pro cyclists as well as mums running marathons!

“We pride ourselves on being an ethical company, not just in the products that we manufacture, but in the way we conduct ourselves, look after our fantastic team, and the environment.”

Mrs Jones is now looking forward to setting up Bathing Beauty's first shop at Ty Coch Barns, renamed The Source, to open on April 5 with a 'Happiness Café' for yoga and tai chi classes in the pipeline.

Mrs Jones said: “It has always been a dream of mine to have my own store. We will be showcasing the best designer makers that I have met over the last eight years, stocking other eco-conscious and design led gifts that are not otherwise available nearby.

"We aim to become a hub for the community, offer creative classes as well as more physical classes such as tai chi and yoga. Hopefully local cycling and walking groups will drop in to break up their longer rides and walks. Local horse riders have already pledged their support.

"Meanwhile our Happiness Cafe will be a place serving very simple, seasonal, healthy teas coffees and cakes using local ingredients and the skills of local tea blenders and coffee roasters.

"The idea behind it is to provide nourishment for the body and the soul, and the hope that anyone who visits will leave feeling refreshed and uplifted."

To find out more about Bathing Beauty, visit the website by clicking here.