A pottery studio that was opened by an ambitious young entrepreneur is celebrating its first year of business. 

On Sunday, November 17, Pitter Potter Tenbury Wells in Teme Street celebrated its first birthday, with founder Louise Preston saying it was hard to believe that it had been a year since she and her mum, Claire, had embarked on their new journey.

"It’s been a huge learning curve, but has felt ‘right’ from the very beginning, and has been extremely well-received by the public.

"In that year, our customers have painted over 3,000 pieces of pottery, and have visited from as far away as Tasmania, Zimbabwe and Ontario!"

The team hold pottery parties for birthdays, hen dos, baby, showers and work socials and have even introduced "painting on the go", where they visit care homes and school fetes.

Recently, they held their first "special events", which included guided pumpkin painting and a children’s halloween party, with Ms Preston adding both were a "smashing success".

Ms Preston, who was previously a pupil at Lucton School, said it had been "overwhelming in many ways", but mostly in how much joy they get to experience from seeing people embrace their inner creativity.

Ms Preston previously said that whilst doing her A-levels, teachers were keen for her to continue her studies at Oxford University. However, she said although a university education had many advantages, she knew she wanted to stay where she "belonged" to set up a business.

With guidance from the Princes' Trust, Worcestershire County Council business training and assorted local business owners, Ms Preston wrote a plan, did some training and began looking for premises.

"In many respects, I was lucky - the perfect property came up for rent at the perfect time, and thanks to my late grandfather, I had finances. Less lucky in other respects, the building had no plumbing, and faulty electrics!"

The Princes' Trust, which helped Miss Preston to get her dream business off the ground, helps young people to build on their talents and skills to start their own enterprises. Since being founded by King Charles in 1976, it has helped over a million young people.