A NEW business venture is bringing a taste of the Far East to the North-East.

A Touch of the Orient, a gift shop selling genuine Thai products, has opened in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland.

The shop is the creation of aunt and niece team, Florence Coyle and Gillian Finn, who chose the gift range after making the trip to Thailand.

Mrs Coyle said: "Most of the products in the shop are made in small village communities, where we were fortunate enough to build new friendships whilst watching the products be made."

The range includes hand-made Mulberry bark papers, which can be used for picture frames, outdoor bamboo lights, wind chimes and fragranced soaps.