A 46-YEAR-OLD Darlington woman has achieved top sales in the region for a new venture headed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Alison Orr was named as one of the shining stars of Jamie at Home at an awards dinner for her performance across the North-East.

Mrs Orr heads a team of consultants in the region. Since March, she has fronted sales of more than £70,000.

She hosts parties and sells a range of kitchen and homeware collections.

Mr Oliver invited Mrs Orr and her husband Ronnie to the awards dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel, in London, to pick up her award.

Mrs Orr said: "Working in partnership with Jamie is enough reward in itself, so to be recognised in this way really was the icing on the cake for me.

"His enthusiasm and passion is infectious and he really does want each and every one of our Jamie at Home businesses to succeed - he's certainly given me my own recipe for success.

"The few months since I started working with Jamie at Home have been the best of my life.

"I've met so many wonderful people, sell gorgeous products, and I've had the opportunity to bring in a substantial income and in the hours to suit me around my other commitments. Not many people can say they do a job they love."