A SHOE company is to manufacturer a student's winning design of a specialist shoe as part of an innovative competition.

Amy Saville, a fashion design student at the University of Central Lancashire, has been crowned the winner of Bacup Shoe Company Design Award for her original and creative designs.

The Stacksteads-based company launched their own competition asking students to design a range of stylish, marketable footwear for Bacup Shoes Natureform brand created to fill a gap in the wide-fit footwear market for the 50-plus age group.

Amy, 23, from Liverpool but studying at the Preston university, designed a range suitable for older people with wider feet and suffering from foot conditions.

Bosses at Natureform, based at Athertonholme Mill in Railway Street, awarded Amy £500.

Staff at the company will now create Amy's designs on their computer system and approach a panel of judges to decide which will be put into production.

It is expected the footwear will be sold from Easter in the company's magazine and in stores nationwide.

Amy said: "The main inspiration came from Tord Boontje, he is a designer who creates beautiful cut out pieces from vintage accessories.

"My aim was to create a range which included shoes for every occasion.

"I was really shocked when I won. I have always wanted to be a designer, as a little girl I used to make clothes for my dolls, so it is great to be recognized."

Steven Smith, joint managing director of the firm, said: "We felt Amy understood what Nature-form is about and what we are trying to achieve.

"Amy researched the market particularly well and offered a range of designs that were suitable, different and attractive."

He added: "Amy demonstrated that she had clearly thought out the practicality of her footwear designs."

Brenda Reeve, from the university's department of art and fashion, said: "Our students are taught to push the boundaries thus producing the innovation which fashion design requires.

"This project allowed the students to put these skills into practice."