A Brighton boutique selling designer clothes with an Eastern touch has been named one of the 20 brightest new businesses in Britain.

Aneela Rose fought off almost 600 other enterprises to reach the semi-finals of the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

Owners Aneela Rose and Graham Fairburn are hoping the business will be selected as a finalist and go on to win the title and the top prize of £20,000.

Aneela had the idea for the business when she was unable to find something special to wear for her 30th birthday.

Convinced there was a gap in the market for eastern-influenced, western clothes, she joined forces with Graham to launch the business, which is based in Brighton Square.

In less than a year, the boutique's cash flow has exceeded expectations and there are already plans to open another shop in 18 months' time.

The ten finalists will be announced next month.