West Malling has a new shop selling hand-crafted gifts.

The cuddly toys, bath bombs, soaps, doorstops and cards are at Joyful Creations in the Abbey Arcade off the High Street are all hand-made by the shop's owner Sharon Hilden.

The chance to run her own business is a dream come true for 56-year-old Mrs Hilden, who has been unemployed for the past 15 years.

She said: "It's something I've always wanted to do but never had the finance nor the knowhow to get started."

She got help from the Shaw Trust, a charity which aims to re-start people's lives, after being referred by the Job Centre.

She said: "They sent me on a course to teach me how to become an entrepreneur and helped set me up, even paying the first month's rent."

Mrs Hilden has her own mentor from the Shaw Trust, Mike Smith, to help her, and he attended her opening at the start of the month along with the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Pam Bates.

Also present was Mark Davison, another Shaw Trust trainee, who is hoping to emulate Mrs Hilden and open his own hand-crafted jewellery store in the arcade soon.

Mrs Hilden said: "There's been a lot of interest. I'm so grateful for this opportunity."

Joyful Creations is open from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday, to Saturday. For inquiries, ring 07546 715178.