A graduate from Cricklewood has reached the final of the University of Hertfordshire’s annual business start-up competition ‘Flare’.

Tatjana Apukhtina, of Mora Road, is one step closer to winning a share of £16,000 having beaten off competition from more than 100 entrants.

The 24-year-old and her business partner Matthew Blakemore, impressed judges in the first two rounds of the competition with their business idea Looks Good On Me.

The phone app transforms friends into an intimate circle of fashion advisers, who can be called upon at any time to offer feedback on outfit choices.

The pair then went head-to-head against eight other finalists to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges in a Dragons’ Den style event.

Miss Apukhtina, said: “The support that we’ve received from the university and the enterprise team has been absolutely crucial for our business.

“This award means a lot to us - it could give our mobile app the recognition we need to attract more retail partners and investors to our business and make it a huge success.”

The winners of the competition will be announced at an awards dinner on October 9.