A BRILLIANT budget blogger from Bridgwater has won a national award with her top tips to save money.

Fiona Hawkes, 31, runs the blog ‘Savvy in Somerset’, which has been named as the Best Frugal and Thrift Blog at the UK Money Bloggers awards - seeing off competition from nearly 90 rivals to win the prize.

Mrs Hawkes started her blog after her and her partner decided to save money to buy their first house together. They managed to accrue £50,000 in savings despite both being on relatively modest incomes.

On winning her award, Fiona said: "I was really thrilled. I was up against bloggers that I have followed and admired for years so to come on top was really amazing."

So what sort of tips is Fiona giving for the festive season?

"With Christmas on the way many of us are having to watch the pennies at this very expensive time of year," she says.

"However, there are ways to save money on pretty much everything you buy.

"When shopping online look for discount vouchers and make sure to shop through a cashback site.

"If you’re doing the big Christmas shop check your junk mail - supermarkets often send money offer vouchers with their leaflets that come through the door. "

To find out more visit savvyinsomerset.com.