A BRIDPORT firm has been voted one of the top new public relations agencies in the UK.

Watershed PR from St Andrew's Road is a finalist in the New Consultancy of the Year 2007 category of the PR Week awards - the Oscars of the public relations industry.

Watershed principal Sara Hudston said: "It's a tremendous boost for us as we're the smallest agency shortlisted and the only one based outside a city.

"Nearly all the other finalists are from London and employ ten or more staff. We're in Bridport and there are just four of us at present."

Watershed is one of six finalists in the new consultancy category.

To qualify, the agency had to submit detailed case studies of its work, client testimonials and a summary of its balance sheet for the first two years. Then Sara and senior director Heloise D'Souza were invited to London for stage two of the selection process.

They had to give a 15-minute presentation to the judges before being questioned closely by the panel.

"It was rather like Dragon's Den," said Sara.

"There were three judges, two in senior positions in big multinational companies and one running a major national PR agency.

"We explained how Watershed aims to be a 'small giant', known first and foremost for the quality of our work.

"We also spoke about how important Dorset is to us and how proud we are to be a regional PR firm based in the South West."

The winning agency will be announced at an awards night in London on October 24.