SIMPLY the best.
Eastleigh's Anita Graham became the first woman to land the Betting Shop Manager of the Year award when she beat off five male rivals earlier this week.
Anita, 37, who has been running Totesport's branch in Boyatt Wood, put her success down to "a lot of hard work, the best staff in the business - and a lucky charm!"
Anita, who lives in Woolston, Southampton, revealed after she had been presented with her award by former champion jump jockey Richard Dunwoody, that she is a devotee of karma and for the last two days had been wearing a ruby necklet that her late grandmother had given to her.
"It's done the trick!" she beamed.
Anita, who has run the shop since it opened two and a half years ago, has won an all-expenses paid trip to the 2005 Singapore International Cup.
She had been entered for the competition by her customers and told the Daily Echo the secret of running a successful shop was creating a friendly atmosphere.
She said: "We give the customers cups of tea, biscuits and cakes.
"If the staff are friendly, then the customers will be."
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