A local blogger, who's mission is to inspire the people of MK to discover independents and support local businesses, was invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street.
Sophie Neal, also known as Sophie etc, is an an award-winning Milton Keynes food and lifestyle blogger who creates guides to independent restaurants, small businesses and things to do within an MK postcode.
Sophie says her mission is to 'inspire' local people to discover a whole different side of Milton Keynes.
The local blogger was invited by Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, to an event at 10 Downing Street to celebrate her contribution to local media.
Last night, a Local Media Champions reception was held at Number 10 and Sophie was 'honoured' to have made the invite list.
Sophie Neal told MKFM: "What an honour to be invited to Downing Street! It was an amazing, surreal experience and a lovely way to be recognised for the work that I do for Sophie etc. supporting local businesses."
The reception was attended by local media from across the country, with representatives and attendees addressed by Lucy Frazer, Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North said: "Sophie is an incredible champion for local businesses here in Milton Keynes and I know how passionate she is about making sure we have a thriving independent scene.
"I was delighted to invite her to 10 Downing Street in a celebration of local media champions across the country - we're lucky to have somebody like Sophie here in MK."
3 years ago, Sophie created the Facebook group 'Eat and Explore MK'. The group has grown massively since its launch and now has over 15,000 members, including over 600 local businesses.
In summer last year, Sophie used the relationship she had built with hundreds of local businesses across the city to pen an open letter to the two Milton Keynes MPs.
Sophie wrote to Ben Everitt MP and Iain Stewart MP urging them to do something about the rising energy costs and the impact on small businesses in Milton Keynes before it is 'too late'. The MPs then discussed issued with the Chancellor.
