A VALE business owner who was forced to close her gift shop in Evesham after just three months has created a new online company selling products for man's best friend.

Angela Hayden, of Drakes Broughton, moved her business, Novelty Gifts, to Market Place in Evesham from Pershore Retail Market in October last year.

The move took place during the closure of the Abbey Bridge and Miss Hayden says the delay to the bridge re-opening and a lack of sales forced her to close the shop.

But Miss Hayden said she was determined not to let her business slip away.

"After four years of hard work, lots of money, time and effort I had put into my business I couldn't afford to let it slip away," she said.

"So I decided to create a sister company called Top Dogs Collars and Leads, as I had noticed my sales in dog products had increased throughout the four years.

"I re-vamped my website and focused on dog products, we now sell dog collars, leads, lanyards, ID tags, mugs, figurines, dog cards and other novelty dog items, as well as offering a range of printed products as well."

Miss Hayden launched the new online business in March and has been busy getting the word out by visiting dog shows, fetes and craft shows throughout the county this year.

She also attended Crufts were she met dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, from TV show It's me or the Dog, BBC presenter Chris Hollins, who vowed to buy a collar for a Dachshund, and actress and Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden.

Moving forward Miss Hayden is hoping to offer a pet delivery service but for now has a range of offers available to customers on the website as well as two competitions.

She added: "If small businesses are to survive they need the local community support and help from local resident to keep the business alive."

For more information visit facebook.com/groups/NGCollarsandLeads or topdogscollarsandleads.co.uk and anyone who mentions this editorial will receive 10 percent of any order over £40 excluding postage and packing.