Cheltenham therapist Nicky Read, founder and owner of The Camomile Rooms and fertility and maternity specialist Nurture4Life, was announced as Practitioner of the Year 2017 at the national Holistic Therapy Business Awards in London.

Nicky says: "This is a huge personal achievement for me and I am so thrilled to have been recognised by my fellow industry professionals and peers. I set up my holistic therapy business The Camomile Rooms in 2011 and it has gone from strength to strength in the last six years.

"In 2015 I followed my passion working with clients with fertility issues and launched Nurture4Life, which has grown rapidly as we have supported local families through their fertility, pregnancy and postnatal journeys."

Nicky qualified in 2004 and began her career as a volunteer therapist at her local Sue Ryder hospice, working with people with a variety of life-limiting illnesses. She now offers free treatments for anyone going through cancer treatment, in partnership with another local therapy centre.

The Camomile Rooms offers treatments including reflexology, kinesiology and hair analysis, hypnotherapy, osteopathy, nutritional therapy and massage. Nurture4Life is the only dedicated fertility and pregnancy support centre in the county designed to support and help couples at any stage on their journey to parenthood and beyond.

The Holistic Business Awards were set up by Holistic Therapist Magazine to recognise pioneering individuals and businesses in the industry.