TENSION mounted in the final moments before the winner was declared in our Room Makeover competition finals night at the headquarters of Devizes Fine Kitchens at Hopton Industrial Estate on Friday night.

Each of the 16 finalists were called on to come on to the stage built in the centre of the shop floor so that, echoing the vintage TV quiz show Take Your Pick, they could open a door in a cabinet, specially built by the master craftsmen at Devizes Fine Kitchens, to find a length of wood.

The lengths of wood were then measured and the person choosing the longest piece turned out to be mother-of-two Karen Marshallsay, of Thickwood, near Corsham.

Mrs Marshallsay and her husband Graham will now have the fun of choosing which room in their house will have the £7,000 of refurbishing.

She said: "We were thinking of upgrading our kitchen but we will have to think about it."

Mrs Marshallsay, daughter of Howard Strawford, owner of Castle Combe motor racing circuit near Chippenham, chose door number 16 following the advice of her six-year-old son George. She said: "George told me to choose the highest number because it would contain the longest piece of wood. He was right."

Mr Marshallsay, managing director of the circuit, added: "I suggested number five, but it's just as well she ignored my advice and took George's." The couple also have a two-year-old son, Oscar.

But the 15 other finalists did not go away empty-handed. Each received a handmade display cabinet, valued at £250, as well as a voucher for ten per cent off any work done by Devizes Fine Kitchens or appliances supplied by them.

It had been a glittering evening, with many invited guests in addition to the finalists and their partners.

Guests were greeted with a glass of wine or orange juice before being taken on a guided tour of the factory, where high-quality bespoke joinery is created for prestigious contracts all over the UK and the world.

Then company director Bruce Hopkins introduced Simon May, his boyhood friend and the renowned composer of such TV themes as EastEnders, Howard's Way, Trainer and Eldorado, as well as top ten hits Born With a Smile on My Face and Summer of my Life.

Mr May told the assembled guests that his TV career had begun in Devizes with the band Simon, Plug and Grimes that he had formed with Chas Hart and Robert Holman.

After months of effort, he managed to get an interview with the producer of the Basil Brush Show, which went out on the prime time slot of 6pm on a Saturday night.

Although he was initially turned down, they had a last-minute cancellation and Simon, Plug and Grimes sang Simon May's first hit, Way In, Way Out.

He said: "Through all my years in show business, I have found the word 'no' spelt 'y-e-s'."

Mr May sang a number of his biggest hits, including the theme song to EastEnders, and was joined by Mr Hopkins who sang the lyrics to Every Loser Wins, written for EastEnders and also a chart smash.

For more details about the services provided by Devizes Fine Kitchens, visit the showroom at 11 to 12 Northgate Street, Devizes, telephone (01380) 721772 or contact the factory on (01380) 729507.

The company's website is at www.devizesfinekitchens.co.uk and its email address is office@devizesfine.fsbusiness.co.uk.