A shop shining a light on Cheshire's artists and crafters is opening in Bollington.

The Handkerchief Tree is set to swing open its doors on Palmerston Street later this year, offering a range of locally made gifts, cards and keepsakes made locally.

Behind the counter you will find local resident, Helen Pearson, who admits this is a fresh challenge for her.

The 59-year-old former social worker said: "I've been retired a couple of years and I just thought, I need to scratch an itch here, I need something to give me a challenge.

"It's a bit of an experiment in all honesty but, for me, it's just about trying to keep the high street alive.

"I hope it'll develop into a nice, creative, community."

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Helen and her husband, Kevin, moved to Bollington around four years ago, purchasing the property that was then home to Jeremy Unsworth Funeral Services.

Following the end of the funeral directors' tenancy, Helen decided she'd like to go into business herself.

"I always thought that it would be nice to have a community-based shop," she said.

"The thing that struck me most about Bollington when we moved here, was that it's got a really big heart.

"There's a huge community and there's a lot of artistic people here."

Helen hopes the shop will fill the void left by the Love Bollington Market.

"I know there are a lot of places where crafters can go and sell, but we used to have the market and that suddenly stopped," she said.

"So, I just thought this would be an opportunity for me to make some items myself but also allow people to showcase theirs, without having to pay to rent space."

The shop will offer a range of handmade clothing, wooden bowls, pottery, throws, candles, jewellery and even lampshades made from old maps of Bollington.

There will also be a studio where they will host craft workshops, with one of their upcoming Christmas wreath making sessions already sold out.

The Handkerchief Tree is set to open its doors on Tuesday, November 3.

Asked how excited she is to get going, Helen said: "It depends when you ask me!

"Today I'm a bit frazzled but on average I'm very excited!

"I hope it might make Bollington a bit of a 'mooch destination' for people. Perhaps they come for a walk, go to one of our lovely coffee shops or delis, and then pop in here."