A YOUNG entrepreneur who fulfilled her father’s dying wish by launching her own business has been shortlisted for a national award.

Victoria Robson, 25, used her inheritance from her late father to open her bridal shop and says it was the best decision she has ever made.

The family were on holiday in Australia in 2010 when father-of-three Mick Robson was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Mr Robson underwent surgery in Australia before he was flown back to the UK for further treatment.

Miss Robson said: “After three years of radiotherapy and chemotherapy he just didn’t recover. Dad passed away on July 22, 2014 at home with all of us around him.

“He was the most generous and caring man you could have ever met. A lover of rugby and sport and a real family man. Our family was his whole world.”

Miss Robson went on to work for Macmillan Cancer Support after seeing first-hand the work the charity offers.

She added: “I felt like I wanted to be a part of something and do something different.

“When my dad passed away he left us some money and he said don’t buy shoes, don’t go on holiday and don’t use it for a house. Create something that you can be proud of and will make a future for you.

“I remember thinking what does that mean, and then I was approached by my mum’s neighbour about potentially buying her bridal shop and it all went from there.”

Miss Robson bought the shop in Northallerton and reopened it as Victoria Robson Bridal in April 2015 aged 23. She has since won a North of England Wedding Award and has been named Yorkshire’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, qualifying for the national final.

Miss Robson, of Northallerton, added: “Opening the shop was the best decision I could have ever made. My dad worked for himself and it feels right to be my own boss. I am so thankful to him and my mum, she has been my rock.”

She will find out at Shakepeare’s Globe in London if she has won the title.