AN Australian woman is spreading fairy magic in the two counties in the run-up to Christmas after turning her hobby into a highly successful business.

Shelley Hayes-Williams started making fairy wings "Down Under" 10 years ago, and, after meeting her partner, Jason Braybrooke, the couple set up Fairy Love.

From their workshop at the Hop Pocket Craft Centre in Bishops Frome, near Bromyard, the two of them make specially designed fairy wings for brides, bridesmaids and even bridegrooms, and sell ready-made fairy wings at festivals in the summer.

"A friend of mine died who was living with me," said Shelley. "Suddenly I was seeing fairies and angels and I started being creative and making wings. The idea took off.

"We moved over here a year ago and have since set up the business. It is very hard work but it is great fun.

"We make the wings to order so people tell us what colour they would like and a bit about themselves, or some people just give us their complete trust and tell us to make what we want.

"Most people call me Shelley Fairy - that has stuck for a long, long time and I have even thought about changing my surname."

Shelley and Jason have re-scheduled a romantic trip to Paris to take part in Enterprise Week, which is part of the government's Make Your Mark campaign.

They will be bringing their fairy wings and passing on their magic and advice to people considering becoming self-employed, at the New Year? New Start? New Business? event in Worcester's Guildhall, on Thursday, November 18.

"This was more of a hobby craft over in Australia, but I have found that English people are slightly less conservative and they seem to respond really well to the wings," said Shelley.