A NEW shop owner says opening her own business has been a dream come true after being flooded with orders for her unique upcycled furniture.

Julie Ann Voce opened Then and Now on Bruche Heath Gardens in Padgate just over a week ago but says the response has been amazing.

The proud mum to Molly, aged 12, said: "It was something I always wanted to do and when I hit 50 this year I thought if I didn't do it now I never will.

"It was a risk and I had to work really hard making items to sell so I could get the money together to open the shop but the reaction has been overwhelming and I couldn't be happier."

The store doubles up as Julie's workshop where she revamps items from charity shops and is also one of the only canal artists in the north west producing colourful barge designs on watering cans and plant pots.

The former window dresser, from Padgate, added: "I can't wait to go into work each day."