Two hard-working women have done their bit to dispel the Essex girl myth.
Mikaela Martin and Katherine Wood both made it through to the finals of the Women of Achievement Awards, organised by Cosmopolitan magazine.
The pair were honoured for their hard work and dedication at a glitzy award ceremony at a top London hotel.
Mikaela, of Cornflower Close, Stanway, near Colchester, made it through to the top three in the sales and marketing category after her sister secretly nominated her.
Mikaela, 30, trained as a hairdresser after leaving Philip Morant School, but has made her mark as a sales person extraordinaire for a drinks company.
Katherine, from Wivenhoe, was given a special mention for her work as executive director of Firstsite in Colchester.
The judges praised her for helping to promote contemporary visual arts.
Both Mikaela and Katherine were presented with a certificate, £100 worth of House of Fraser vouchers and some Estee Lauder goodies.
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