QUEEN of shops Mary Portas received a unique gift from an award-winning Bucks chocolatier at a recent trade show.

Anne Scott of Auberge du Chocolat presented the retail guru with a personalised stiletto shoe inscribed with 'Mary Queen of Shoes' at a retail trade show in Telford.

Ms Portas is reported to have said that being given the shoe was her personal highlight of the fair.

The retail advisor is behind a Government-led initiative whereby towns can apply for a slice of £1million through the Portas Pilot scheme.

Chesham is one of the towns vying for a handout and with Auberge dy Chocolat having bases in the town and Gerrards Cross, the gift could be seen as a way of sweetening a deal with the fashion queen, who was born in nearby Rickmansworth.

Stephanie Rice, who arranged Auberge's involvement at the show, said: “We have worked with Auberge for over 12 months and believe they have some really good products.

"Their stall at the show was very professional and Mary Portas was obviously delighted to receive her chocolate shoe from Anne.”

The company has won 14 Gold and double Gold awards in the Great Taste Awards and numerous other awards in the Academy Of Chocolate and the Ice Cream Alliance national competitions.