A MILLINER who has worked for some of the world's most famous designers has opened a shop in Durham.

Elena Lewis has made hats for some of fashion's biggest names, such as Gianni Versace, Dolce and Gabanna and Rifat Ozbek, but her real ambition was to set up her own business.

Now she has opened her latest Hats on Top store in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.

The fashion and design graduate, who trained with designers such as Shirley Hex and Philip Treacy, has already opened stores in Hull, Grimsby, Middlesbrough and Harrogate.

The Durham store, which opened this month, sells hats, accessories, bags, scarves and gloves.

She said: "I am delighted the business has grown as quickly and as successfully as it has, which is why I decided to open my latest store in Durham as part of an ongoing expansion plan to develop a chain of accessory stores nationwide."

The store will offers customers free professional advice from staff trained in millinery.

It also offers a hat dying service, to match hats with outfits.