Life starts at 50, is the motto for a woman pushed by her mum to take the bull by the horns and create a beauty salon in her home.

Jean van Laarhoven, of Anyards Road, Cobham, has always had a passion for make-up and, as an avid drawer, has a natural artistic eye.

She used to work as a pregnancy masseuse and said: "I had a neck injury which stopped me massaging so I got a little bit down.

"I had a year off to help and then at 50 my mum said 'Stop feeling sorry for yourself'."

The mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Jan Fuller, visited the salon on Friday, June 12, the official launch day.

She said: "I think what us so great is when you get someone who is prepared to put everything on the line and go out there, get all the right training and then set something up in a small business."

Ms van Laahoven set up JVL Permanent Make Up with help from Elmbridge Council who provided funding for help with marketing costs, and two students, Shaun Etherington, 28, and James Pigram, 22, at Guildford College who set up her website for free as part of their Computer Systems and Development HND.

For information, visit jvlpermanentmakeup.com.