A young woman from Bunbury has swapped soldiering for fine furniture.

Purdey Auger, 21, has opened Wallis and Beau in Tattenhall dealing in fine home furnishings, gifts and crafts.

The former soldier, whose father is a gamekeeper in Russia and whose mother works at Tarporley Surgery, says she loves shabby-chic furniture, which inspired her to open her shop.

She said: “I joined the army at the age of 16 but decided it wasn’t for me after a few years. I have always liked shabby-chic furniture, gifts and crafts and it seems to be very popular in many households in the Cheshire area which gave me an idea to start my own business trading in something I love.

“Painting furniture is a hobby of mine, so it doesn’t feel like work to me, I get great enjoyment from it and my house is full of it.

“You can’t beat that feeling of finally finishing a piece and seeing the great result. I also up-do people’s furniture and I like to give my customers the best and something different that nobody else will have.”

Wallis and Beau, at Corner House on High Street, is open Tuesday-Friday from 9am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sunday and Monday by appointment only.