A FORMER market trader who was forced to move out of a Kidderminster shopping centre is celebrating after opening her own shop.

Rebecca Todd, who ran a market stall in the Rowland Hill Centre for five years, has opened her business - A Touch of Class - in Stourport.

In February, market traders in the Kidderminster shopping centre were given two weeks to leave, with refurbishment planned.

Mrs Todd, who lives in Stourport, managed to secure an additional two weeks' grace for the traders after collecting a petition, asking to be allowed to stay until after Mother's Day as it was her busiest time of year.

Since leaving the centre, Mrs Todd had been selling her flowers from home. She said: " It was not the same as having a business where people can come and look around."

The shop, in Lombard Street, opened earlier this month and sells a range of silk flower arrangements, specialising in wedding bouquets, corsages and table arrangements, as well as gifts.

Mrs Todd, 47, who said she was "delighted" with her new business, said: "I have had a good week for the first week. I think it is nice that I have opened the shop where I live. I am very pleased."