IT'S a case of handbags at dawn for one Worcester company in its battle for retail progress.

And to show the success of its brand, Attavanti Limited, which has office's in St Mary's Street, has been awarded #SBS business award on Twitter by Dragons' Den entrepreneur Theo Pathitis.

Attavanti.com is an online store that sells luxury Italian leather handbags, holdall, briefcases, luggage and accessories worldwide. Founder Dawn Statham-Lowe explained: "The website was set up by myself and partner Peter Lowe to fill the Pannettone sized gap in the market for beautiful quality leather bags at affordable prices. As the company has grown we have, over the last 12 months, expanded the site from supplying just handbags and accessories to now include an extensive range of high quality business and travel bags all sourced from luxury Italian design houses.

"Customers can choose from luxury brand names carefully chosen for their design and style, such as Arcadia, Blu Style, Carbotti, Chiarugi, Nicoli, Pratesi, Terrida, Toscanella and Vannini. We just love everything Italian and we are keen to promote the ‘Made in Italy’ brand and intend to expand further with exciting new suppliers to add to the site. This does mean regular trips to Milan and Florence, but someone's got to do it.

"The #SBS small business award is a great endorsement and being part of this prestigious business network will provide a platform for Attavanti to expand and grow. The name Attavanti comes from the Puccini opera Tosca. Marchesa AttavantI is the beautiful muse of the painter Cavaradossi,and the target of Floria Tosca's jealousy. So it clearly represents handbags at dawn."