A MOTHER-of-two has realised her dream of setting up her own beauty salon with the help of a mentor from The Princes Trust.

Caroline Mason, 30, from Pelton, trained as a beautician and held several part-time jobs, including three years working in a customer services department. But none of them provided the challenge she wanted, so she gave them up and stayed at home with her children.

She said: "It was then I decided to do something with my life by starting my own business as a beautician using my existing skills."

With the help of The Prince's Trust she has set up her own beauty salon, the Beauty Box.

The trust provided her with a loan and the services of a business mentor.

From her salon, based in the Relax and Tan premises on Pelton's Front Street, Caroline offers manicures, pedicures, eyebrow shaping, waxing and facials. She is already looking to employ someone to help her offer other treatments such as reflexology, body wraps and body massage.

Caroline's mentor is 40-year-old self-employed management consultant Andrew Nicholson from Birtley.