MUM-OF-TWO Connie Tu, who gave up her supermarket day job to become a henna artist, has won a top award.

The 36-year-old, of Bradford, who has just opened a new studio space shared with Q20 Theatre in Dockfield Road, Shipley, won the Best in the North title in the Henna category at the British Asian Wedding Awards in London

She was joined by friend and fellow henna artist Sameena Khan, who was also shortlisted for the award, at the glitzy ceremony in Mayfair.

The pair became friends at a monthly Mehndi Meet where henna artists from across Bradford get together to support each other and promote the local henna industry.

Ms Tu's passion for henna started at an Eid celebration four years ago when she got inspired to find out more about Mehndi and rushed home to buy a henna cone to try her hand.

She started practising on herself and posted pictures on social media, attracting lots of attention that has ended with it becoming a full-time career. Traditionally a secretive art and first used on the hair of Egyptian mummies, Mhendi is growing in popularity with brides across all cultures and belly henna for mums-to-be.