A CRAFTY mum from Gourock is in the frame for glory after being nominated for a prestigious national award .

Cheryl Gray, who runs Artventurers Inverclyde, is in the running to be named 'most loved activity leader' across the country.

As well as her personal accolade, her business - which is celebrating its fifth anniversary - is also up for the 'most loved academic or creative franchise'.

As a result of Covid-19 she won't be able to attend the awards bash in London and will instead be tuning in to hear her fate on October 8 from her living room.

The 40-year-old said: "It is actually my son's birthday on the same day as the ceremony so it has worked out for the best.

"I'm looking forward to tuning in to the event and seeing how it all goes."

Cheryl has been a pioneer for the Artventurers franchise across Inverclyde and has watched children in her classes growing from babies to beginning primary school this year.

She said: "All the babies who started at my classes right at the very beginning are now in primary one and their younger siblings have become members.

"I've been really well supported over the years.

"We've managed to maintain those connections through lockdown thanks to sending out activity packs.

"I think the courier loved me - some days he was collecting 30 parcels to be distributed to members to stuff their own cuddly toy!"

Cheryl's classes, which were shelved during lockdown, usually involve messy play however she also holds Christmas classes each year at the Cardwell Garden Centre.

She added: "It's all a bit difficult at the moment to plan, usually my Christmas classes have already booked up by now, but at the moment I don't know if they'll even be able to go ahead.

"I'll hopefully know in the next few weeks exactly what's happening."