A LINGERIE shop owner unable to find a female decorator has been helped by The Northern Echo.

Sadie Ayton, more popularly known as Sadie the Bra lady, needed a woman to paint her premises, because she feared a male decorator would be bad for business.

Her search proved frustrating, but she discover the person she needed lived nearby.

Apprentice painter and decorator Alexis Parkin, 19, who works for J Parkin and Co of Consett, County Durham, was yesterday starting work.

When The Northern Echo put Ms Ayton in touch with Ms Parkin, she hired her straight way.

Ms Ayton, who began specialising in fitting bras from her shop in Front Street, Consett, needed to upgrade her lingerie shop in Sea Road, Sunderland.

She said: "Our customers will not sit and be fitted up while men are on the premises.

"Even though they would not be able to see them, they would hear them and would not be comfortable."

Ms Ayton, who also has outlets in Ashington and Darlington and is planning to open another in Scarborough, said she would be taking Ms Parkin on to do all her decorating work.

Ms Parkin, a former arts student who has an NVQ Level 2 in painting and decorating, said: "I am delighted.

"It will be a new experience for me."

Her boss, Jamie Parkin, said: "She is one of three apprentices I have and has proved an excellent all rounder.

"Working for Sadie the Bra Lady will give her a break from what is a male dominated environment."