'This is just the start': Oldbury mother looks to future after BBC Britain's Best Home Cook

Black Country mother Sarah Woods did not take the title on BBC Britain's Best Home Cook last night – but she said she is still "incredibly proud" to have made it to the final.

The 42-year-old, who grew up in Oldbury, was one of 10 cooks to start out in January on the popular BBC One cooking contest.

Her 'proper Indian home cooked food' impressed judges Mary Berry, Chris Bavin and Angela Hartnett, and sent her soaring through each week with high praise.

But last night, in the grand final on BBC One, it was fellow finalist Suzie Arbuthnot, of Belfast, who was crowned the winner.

But Sarah still has big plans for the future, and said: "It was disappointing but it's just one of those things.

"I'm looking ahead to the future now. I do feel proud I got to the final, it was an incredible achievement. All the cooks were just fantastic.

"Being on the show was an amazing platform. This is just the start, it's one step on a journey of 1,000 miles."

Sarah has quit her job as a pharmaceutical recruitment partner and will next week be working in a professional kitchen – to continue her journey in cooking. Her dream is to open a restaurant.

She said she has received "so much support" from her husband Harvey and 10-year-old son Austin, who she lives with in Cheshire.

"I was a bit disappointed but Austin said it was 'lit' to see me on TV, which I've heard is a good thing!" she said.

"He stayed up late to watch it with us and then said 'I'm so proud of you mum, you're a winner in my eyes' and my heart just melted."

Sarah, whose grandparents and parents came from the Punjab in India, prides herself on her home-cooked Indian food and was discovered by the show's producers via her Instagram account, where she shares photos of her meals.

Follow Sarah’s journey on Instagram and Facebook via @myhomecookeduk or visit myhomecooked.co.uk