Elaine McGreade is raising a special toast this week after scooping top spot for her Christmas window display.

Elaine is the owner of Hops in A Bottle, the shop in Market Street, Mansfield, that attracts people from far and wide who are looking to buy bottled beer.

Her imaginative Christmas window display, which sees Christmas lights intertwined with empty beer bottles arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, has taken first place in a competition run by Mansfield BID (Business Improvement District).

Elaine said: “It’s terrific news to be honest. I start thinking about what I will do in July and it’s all about doing something that is nice for the shop and helps to attract people. I am so proud to have won it once again.”

The competition involved members of the public voting, and a professional retailer assessing the entries.

Congratulations went to Bling Boutique and Pinder’s Opticians, who were joint second place winners.

The judge was Sue James, manager at TK Maxx. She said: “When approached to judge the 2016 Christmas window I was delighted and honoured. I have lived in the Mansfield area all my life and worked in retail for over 25 years.

“Anything that supports and adds to the positive visitor shopping experience in Mansfield is something to be embraced and nurtured. When I agreed to judge the competition I didn’t realise how difficult it was going to be to pick a winner. The standards were so high and the effort put in was amazing.”

Sarah Nelson, BID Manager, added: “Congratulations to Hops In A Bottle, and to the two shops in second place. It was great to see so many people getting involved and helping to get Mansfield town centre into the Christmas spirit.”