A NEWPORT woman who set up a dog treat business last year has been given a prestigious award by the chief executive of Ann Summers.

Amanda Ogier, 43, a former admin assistant, launched mydoggybox.co.uk last October after she felt there were not enough deluxe dog treats on the market for her two dogs, Dwayne, a Westie, and Rocco, a Shih Tzu.

With up to five items available per order from her online business, customers can choose what to put in the box for their beloved pooch. Items range from dog collar bandanas and squeaky teddy bears to dog shampoo and organic dog treats.

The business has grown considerably in recent months and has had orders from as far afield as Australia, Singapore and America.

It has even landed a contract with American website godoggyvacations.com, who give customers a complimentary doggy box from the Rogerstone-based business when they stay at one of their dog-friendly hotels in the U.S.

These developments have not gone unnoticed and Jacqueline Gold, the CEO of Ann Summers, handed Mrs Ogier a #WOW award earlier this month in recognition of her work.

The award, Women on Wednesday, was set up on Twitter in June 2011 to reward women starting up sustainable new businesses.

Three winners are selected from hundreds of entries on Twitter every week and each winner receives a certificate and a hotline to Mrs Gold, one of Britain's most influential businesswomen, who acts as a mentor to them.

Mrs Ogier said: “I had no intention of going into business.

“I just wanted a Chanel-style toy under the tree for my dog and couldn’t find one, so I made my own. Friends and neighbours thought it was amazing so my husband made me a free website overnight.

“It was all self-funded. We were selling so many boxes up to Christmas that we nearly had to stop.

“It’s taking off and it’s great to have that encouragement from Jacqueline Gold. It makes me want to take the business further into airports and other outlets.

“There’s a real market out there for people who are in love with their dogs.”

As a corporate sponsor of Dogs Trust, every item purchased via mydoggybox website contributes to their monthly donation to the UK's largest dog welfare charity. For more information visit http://www.mydoggybox.co.uk.