MOTHER-OF-TWO Jackie Wood-Woolley knew in an instant she was going into business for herself when she drove past an empty shop.

In the same instant, she knew the shop would be called Cinderellas and it would unashamedly be a true girlie shop.

Now Jackie, 43, is hoping Cinderellas, which has just opened in Linthorpe Village, will be an instant hit with local people.

"People have been complaining for years that there is nowhere to buy a nice gift, other than wine or chocolate, without having to travel into Middlesbrough centre," said Jackie, who lives in Linthorpe.

Cinderellas, which opened with help from business support company Walker Hall Associates, is a hair and fashion accessories shop, but Jackie has added a number of other girlie essentials, such as handbags, jewellery, cosmetics and ear piercing.

Jackie revealed the shop does have its critics - her sons, Jack, ten and Billy, who is seven, whose verdict on the fact it is such a girlie shop was "Yuuchh!"

"Thankfully, the verdict of the first few customers has been great," said Jackie.