A FORMER office worker has set up her own beauty business in a popular hair salon.

Mandy Williamson, from Darlington, decided to swap her role as personal assistant at an engineering company to begin spray tanning and perfecting customers' nails at Saks, in Northallerton.

The 39-year-old said it was while having her nails done for a Christmas ball last year that she began considering the move.

"While I was having the treatments, I suddenly thought that I would really like to be able to actually perform them.

"I am pushing 40 and fancied a career change, so went for it," she said.

Miss Williamson heard that Wilson Derbyshire, franchisee of Saks, in Thirsk Road, Northallerton, was looking for someone to offer selected beauty services at his salon and she was offered the position.

She went on an intensive training course in nail enhancements, manicures and pedicures before starting work at the salon this week.