Kerry Wells runs the South Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Stamford and Rutland Branch of Barking Mad, and has been named the company's Brand Builder of the Year Award 2008.

Barking Mad is a franchise, and franchisees like Kerry arrange places in people's homes for dogs to stay in when their owners go on holiday, so that beloved pets don't have to go into kennels.

Dogs usually stay with retired people who are willing to take in a dog for a week or two and give them lots of love and as much exercise as they need.

Kerry has been a franchisee for just 19 months, and was shocked to win her accolade.

She said: "I would have expected to get the Newcomer of the Year Award, if anything, but not this."

She won praise from judges for her "unfaltering positive attitude and exuberant personality," and for attracting lots of media coverage, including a spread in the Daily Mail. "I love what I do," she said. "I worked in banking for 28 years, and was at Abbey in Peterborough for five years, but left because I fancied a change.

"This job allows me to meet some lovely people with some lovely dogs living in some lovely homes, and it's very enjoyable.

"Being a franchisee is a bit like being in a family – I have all the support I need from my colleagues and head office when I need it, but I can also choose how to develop the business as I want to."