A GLASGOW underwear firm has been short-listed as a finalist for the UK Lingerie Awards 2014.

Global-brand Vanilla Blush will be flying the flag for the city on December 3 at the awards ceremony in London.

The lingerie and swimwear specialists hope to secure industry recognition in the competition, which also includes top brands including super-model Elle MacPherson's underwear range, Bravisimo and Debenhams.

Depute First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Liz Cameron, gave the brand their seal of approval.

Nicola said: "It's great news that Vanilla Blush has been shortlisted for these prestigious awards - a really strong example of a Glasgow company flying the flag for Scotland - and I wish them the very best of luck."

Nicola Dames, the frim's founder, is delighted the company has been nominated for the Post Surgery Brand of the Year Award.

Nicola launched Vanilla Blush, Europe's first specialised glamour lingerie line for people with a stoma, in Glasgow's East End, with the backing of Health Minister Alex Neil, earlier this year.

The mum-of-two, from Glasgow, suffered with bowel disease in her 20s and lived with the condition for many years before making the decision to have life changing surgery, which removed her large colon.

Post operation, the underwear available lacked "femininity" and back in 2008 Nicola, now 37, embarked on her first business venture.

Since then she has developed a new line in underwear and swimwear for men and woman who have suffered with similar conditions.

Former intensive care nurse Nicola said: "I am over the proverbial moon that Vanilla Blush has come such a long way in such a short time.

"After six years of radicalising the colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy world by binning the medicalised Bridget Jones-style knickers in favour of sexy gorgeous glamour underwear and swimwear, I am confident that Vanilla Blush has played a major role in making the medical needs of people with stomas go mainstream fashion.

"This is why the UK Lingerie Awards are so important and exciting, Vanilla Blush."

janice.burns@ eveningtimes.co.uk