A mother of two has opened her first shop after spotting a gap in the market.

Lauren Healey opened Lottie Lou Children’s Boutique in Forest Road, Loughton, after struggling to find children’s clothing in the town.

The store stocks outfits for boys and girls aged two to 10 ranging in price from £20 to £100.

Mrs Healey, who has a daughter Lottie, four, and son Louie, five, said: “I wanted a shop here because I noticed Loughton was lacking children’s clothes shops.

“With the children now at school I have the time to run the shop and it will keep me busy.”

The process of setting up the business began in December and Mrs Healey took ownership of the premises in February.

She said: “I’ve had mixed feelings throughout the process. It’s scary but also exciting.

“When it’s your own business you’re worried about how it will turn out.”

In order to boost custom a Lottie Lou website will be launched by the end of April and Mrs Healey will be distributing leaflets to parents at schools in the area.

Mrs Healey will manage Lottie Lou from Monday to Saturday with the help of her mother Janice Antick.

She will also get some assistance from her daughter who models the outfits for photographs on her facebook and Instagram pages.

The 29-year-old businesswoman added: “Lottie loves the outfits, especially the tutus.

“Little girls fall in love with anything pretty and colourful and I sell all the clothes I would like to dress my own children in.”