A BUSINESSWOMAN has scooped one of the top running awards for her unique collection of active wear.

Leigh-Anne Porter, 31, founded Lap Activewear in June 2018 and has already claimed a bronze award in the Best Women’s Clothing category at the Running Awards.

Mrs Porter, from Halstead, said she was “really shocked” to have received the award which was voted for by members of the public.

She said: “You get nominated, but I don’t know who nominated me, and then they approve you to make sure you’re a proper business and the voting is done by the public.

“I knew I was in the top 12 and I thought that was it but I would go to the ceremony anyway.

“I had no idea I was in the top three.” Mrs Porter, mum to children Evie, five, and Willow, three, is a keen runner who said she struggled to find alternatives to the usual black leggings.

After searching for some fun designs she hit a dead end and decided to make her own.

She said: “I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m still learning as I go.

The company has hit the ground running after her first batch of 50 pairs of leggings were a hit.

Mrs Porter is now ordering just under 1,000 items each month and a number of the leggings on the website are out of stock.

She said: “I seek designs online for stock image banks like Shutterstock and there are literally millions of images.

“I pick what I think would look good on leggings and what would sell.”

The glittering award ceremony took place last Thursday on a boat on the river Thames in London.

Mrs Porter said: “It was amazing – honestly I didn’t expect it.

“I just went along for the experience and to get a bronze award is the best feeling in the world.”

Lap Activewear was up against active wear giants including Nike, Sturdy by Design and Tikiboo.

Mrs Porter added: “I took my dad along because he was the first person I told and has supported me since day one.”

Mrs Porter is keen to expand the brand and introduce a matching children’s range.