A TRADER who started out with one barrow at the Gateshead MetroCentre has won a national industry award.

Collectables, which has three stores in the centre, has won the Independent Retailer of the Year, Midlands and the North, at the recent Greats Awards.

The Greats are run by Max Publishing, publishers of Progressive Gifts and Home Worldwide magazine.

Philip Lewis, owner of Collectables, who also has stores in Newcastle and Stockton, said: "We were unaware that we had been nominated for the awards, which made the surprise all the more pleasant.

"We are delighted to win this award, which shows the success of the work of all the team involved in the business."