A BUSINESS from Kings Langley which began with a Prince's Trust grant of £3,000 opens a stall at Watford Market next week.

Miss Rachel Groom, 29, of Kings Langley company Molly Polly makes specialist footwear to provide relief from complaints such as arterial disease, ulcerated toes, arthritis, diabetes, bunions and swelling.

While many new businesses fall by the wayside in the first year, Miss Groom's, with the help of a bank loan of £10,000 is flourishing.

She has now taken a stall at Watford Market from Friday, September 28, along with David Walter's Mobility shop.

The Molly Polly bootee making venture came about purely by accident when Miss Groom's grandmother tried on a pair of pink fluffy slippers the then O-level student had made for her sister.

Her grandmother had been suffering with her feet and could never find a pair of slippers that were comfortable.

Miss Groom said: "It looked like she was wearing candy floss on her feet. But she said they were the comfiest she had ever worn."

Miss Groom set about improving her creation, including a reinforced dome toe and an opening at the back to allow access without pressure on any part of the foot.

With funding from the Prince's Trust, she began manufacturing and marketing from a high street store, before branching out on her own last year.

She gave up her studies to become a doctor, but says her research into diet and chiropody has enabled her to develop the slipper.

She hopes the products will eventually be made available on the NHS, and is pleased with the customer feedback.

Molly Polly can be contacted at PO Box 85, Kings Langley, Herts, WD4 8ZX, telephone/fax 01923 264042.