AWARD-WINNING fashion designer Julia Geere is hoping to add another accolade to her collection.

For the 23-year-old from Ulverston has reached the final three of a Prince's Trust competition to find the business person of the year.

The winner is due to be announced at a special dinner late Friday.

Julia was recently a winner in the Exposure 'Future of Design' awards, celebrating the cutting edge of British design business, at the Business Design Centre in London.

She has launched an exclusive limited edition range of her latest autumn/winter 2002 collection at the award-winning Kendal boutique Caroline Blair in Library Road.

Julia is one of many designers following along the lines of Oki-Ni, a new Japanese concept, offering select boutiques limited edition items from their current range.

She says the collection on display at Caroline Blair features her signature style, classically feminine garments with fine attention to detail.