COLCHESTER telly designer Lucy Tiffney is doing a talk and workshop at the town's Church Street Tavern.

The runner-up in last year's Great Interior Design Challenge, has been very busy since appearing on the BBC 2 show, and as well as designing bespoke items of furniture and interiors, she's also started passing on her designing tips of the trade.

"It all started with Kent Blaxhill," she says. "When the show was being filmed I was going in there for my material but they had no idea what it was for.

"After the programme had gone out, and I could finally tell them, they suggested setting up some classes there to give some design tips to their customers.

"But while that's being organised they said I should in contact with the Church Street Tavern in Church Street, Colchester, who are doing a series of special lunchtime talks."

The Lunch with Lucy event takes place on June 30 from 11am to 2.30pm when Lucy will be joined by Andrea Williams of Kent Blaxill’s Interiors Department.

As well as a brief talk over coffee and cake, following a light lunch and a glass of wine, Lucy be will answering questions and with Andrea’s expert help and goodie bag, will be getting people inspired for their next design project.

"It's tied in very nicely," Lucy adds, "because I'm also doing a mural upstairs at the restaurant which will be finished by the time of my talk. I'm also going to do a little mini mood board workshop for people just to get the creative juices flowing."

Born and brought up in Maldon, Lucy’s interest in art began at Thurstable School, in Tiptree, where the teachers let her and her friends use the art rooms at lunchtime.

After leaving she went to the Colchester Institute to take an art foundation course before going to Manchester Polytechnic where she got a first in textiles.

Moving to London she took a studio manager’s job working for a rug designer.

She says: “I was only supposed to stay for five years and I ended up there for 18. I worked four days a week for the designer and on my day off would do all kinds of freelance work designing my own rugs.

With two young children, Lucy decided to move back to Essex, this time to Colchester, where she has been for the last nine years.

"I've had some lovely jobs since the show," she says. "I'm still designing rugs, which I love, but I've also designed and created bespoke painted furniture for people and designed the interiors of a gorgeous Victorian house."

Tickets for Lunch with Lucy are £25, available by calling the venue on 01206 564325 or by e-mailing jess@bakerevents.org

To see more of Lucy’s work go to lucytiffney.com