A Bury St Edmunds woman who worked at a local fish and chip shop to fund her way through a three-year degree course has celebrated a successful first year in business.

Having worked at the Printing.com outlet in Bury as a graphic designer, Melissa Stannard, 32, took the opportunity last year to purchase the franchise when the then owners retired.

Melissa, a single mother of two young children who studied at Anglia Ruskin University, has since relocated the business to new premises off Eastgate Street and expanded its client base.

“It has been a rollercoaster of fun, hardwork and long hours but ultimately extremely rewarding,” she said. “The highlight has been being able to employ a graduate designer to work alongside me in the business”.

Melissa attributes her success to the support she has received from other local businesses and organisations as well as that of the Printing.com franchise.

She hopes her success story will inspire other young people to pursue their dream of running their own business.