THE brains behind a fun, family festival which successfully put Cirencester on the map has been given a "special" award in recognition of her significant contribution to the town.

Florence Beetlestone, founder of the Cirencester Hare Festival, was presented with the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Award at a ceremony in May this year.

The grandmother, who has lived in the town for 11 years, said it was "absolutely fabulous" to be recognised.

"This is such a marvellous thing for the festival," she said. "It helps bring it forward in future years."

The Hare Festival 2014 saw 50 five foot hare models, all uniquely decorated, and 25 more life size models bound into the town. Each one was sponsored by a business, school or individual and placed in a special location, before being added to a special passport trail so visitors could try and find every one.

Florence was amazed by the success her idea, which saw people from all over the country coming to see the hares.

"I first had the idea for the festival in 2007, when I brought it up with the Cirencester cultural and heritage group," she said. "But I got nowhere, and I mentioned it again in 2013 and got the go ahead."

The former university lecturer said she never thought the festival would grow so big.

"I probably saw it as a one-off," she said. "What we wanted when we first discussed it was that it had to be unique to Cirencester."

The Chamber of Commerce award is presented annually as part of the Cirencester Business Awards. A special award that cannot be entered, the judges instead choose someone from the town who they believe has truly made a difference.

Other awards presented at the ceremony this year in May included team of the year and young businessperson of the year.

Florence was chosen to win the special accolade for raising more than £70,000 for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust through the festival, as the hare models all went to auction after the event's six months came to an end. Judges also praised Florence for bringing more visitors into the town, as businesses saw an increase in footfall.

The Hare Festival 2015 is already well underway, with many life size hare models dotting the town to form another trail. Florence is planning to bring back the bigger hares for a 2016 festival, which will then go under the hammer to raise money for charity.

See cirencesterharefestival.org.uk for more information or to get involved.