A NATURAL skin care company started five years ago in a Lake District kitchen has opened a flagship store in Chester.

Mother Earth, launched by entrepreneur Jane Holroyd, is now stocked by Harvey Nichols and supplies green organisations including WWF, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.

Manager of the Watergate Street store Gwen Richards contacted the firm 15 months ago after her order didn’t go through and ended up being offered a job.

Jane, a successful holistic therapist, set up the business to offer people a natural alternative to skincare made with artificial chemicals. Her range even includes a ‘bad day bath soak.’ She first sold her products at farmers’ markets.

They are 100% organic and natural and produced using Lakeland spring water andJane tries to use as much local produce as possible, including herbs and beeswax.