A STOURBRIDGE florist has branched out and taken on her first shop in Hagley.

Zandra Roberts, who has worked in floristry since she was 16, has taken over Flowers of Hagley in Worcester Road.

The 41-year-old mum-of-one, who worked at Stourbridge's The Flower Basket for 12 years, has taken over the business from former boss Julie Leddington.

She also has two part-time members of staff helping her out - a former floristry colleague from her teenage years, Esther Pope, and her former boss from The Flower Basket, Elizabeth Down.

She said: "It couldn't be better.

"I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to take over such a lovely shop in such a great location and I look forward to welcoming all of the regular customers as well as any new ones. The best part of my job is seeing happy and satisfied customers, and I'm very excited for the future."

Zandra, who lives in Amblecote, is hoping former customers from The Flower Basket in Market Street, which has now closed, will follow her to Hagley and support her in her new business venture.