A LOCAL government officer had an appetite for change when she opted for voluntary redundancy, and now she is cooking up a treat for a town centre's cafe society.

Karen Clarke, is at the helm of the recently opened Cafe Papillon, close to the Post Office, in Billingham town centre.

She said: "We started off with a sandwich bar for shoppers and office workers in the town centre, but due to popular demand we're also serving hot food, and things are going well."

Ms Clarke, 44, used to make and ice novelty cakes as a hobby when she worked in Stockton Borough Council's leisure department.

She employs three people, including her son, 18-year-old Philip Walker, and is planning to open in the evenings.

Ms Clarke sought help in setting up her business from the Stockton branch of InBiz, an organisation which gives specialist support to people wanting to go self employed after a period of unemployment.

She said: "I had always wanted to open my own cafe, but never thought I would get the opportunity.