An entrepreneurial mum-of-two has combined her life long love of animals with her career after embarking on a new business venture.

Kim Mallett, from Hopton, has opened her own pet shop in Fritton and is thrilled with her new enterprise.

Feathered Friends launched at the beginning of the year at Fritton Plant Centre, selling pet supplies as well as a host of animals including birds, guinea pigs and rabbits, and has already built up a regular customer base.

But for Mrs Mallett, a step-grandmother-of-two, the success started before she even opened after she passed the test to get her pet shop licence with flying colours.

The 55-year-old said: 'It was a written course I had to do. I did four pieces of work on different subjects over 500 words and got a distinction. I wasn't expecting it, it was a nice surprise.'

The move to Feathered Friends saw Mrs Mallett pack up her handbag and jewellery stall, which she also ran from the plant centre, and return to her career roots in a job working with animals.

As a teenager she worked with the RAF Police as a kennel maid, looking after the four-legged members of the service based at RAF Newton, and said she is now enjoying being back in the company of animals.

'The opportunity came up [for the shop] and my husband and myself said 'let's go for it',' Mrs Mallett added.

'It's been fantastic, we have got our own space down here and it's a lovely way to spend the day.

'I like being around the animals. I talk to them all the time, even though they might be chickens!'

And as well as her menagerie of animals at work, Mrs Mallett also looks after an assortment of furry friends at home, including a dog, two cats, chinchillas and chickens.

Are you opening a new business, or launching an alternative venture? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk