A student at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston has started up her own pet accessory business.

Amber Docwra was 15 when she was encouraged by a family acquaintance to think about setting up her own business and now she is enjoying running her own - Dolly's Pet Accessories.

Using Paracord, the 16-year-old makes a range of products for pets including leads and collars for cats and dogs, head collars for horses and a range of bracelets and lanyards for children and adults.

Amber, who is studying a BTEC Business qualification at the college, found a supplier and taught herself the basics of setting up her own business, which is named after a shih tzu named Dolly.

She regularly attends local business meetings and craft fairs and supplies her products to shops in Halesworth and Gorleston.

Using social media, Amber has set her business up on Facebook and Instagram and is already receiving orders and setting up links with local shops.

Amber said: 'When I originally started I thought it would be a nice hobby, but within 2 months I started making profit and I hope that I could even open my own premises one day.

'The practical skills I'm learning through my BTEC course are already helping me and will be really beneficial as my business develops.

When asked for advice for any other young person thinking of setting up their own business, she said: 'Just do it. Yes, it can be hard work but it also really rewarding, especially when I see my products being sold in other shops. I haven't got any overheads and I don't owe anybody anything which is a huge benefit for doing all this at a young age.'

College Principal, Dr Catherine Richards, said: 'At the college we highly value the BTEC qualifications we offer.

'It is fantastic to see Amber is combining her own entrepreneurial skills and the practical skills she is learning as part of her business course and putting them into practice. Her hard work and determination and the extra hours she has put in to get her business set up is paying off and her success thoroughly deserved.'