A YOUNG entrepreneur is discovering the value of social networking to promote the business she has wanted to start since she was a teenager.

Kayleigh Prest set up The Funky Gift and Party Fairy to supply wedding and hen night accessories and personalised gifts and balloons.

In addition to social networks, Ebay and her own website, the 21-year-old from Seaham also organises parties to sell her goods and help customers plan their own parties.

Before setting up the business, she spent time researching the market to ensure there was sufficient demand to make her idea a success.

She said: “Setting up this business feels like a dream come true. I’ve wanted to do this for the past two years and I’m really thrilled that it has all come together.

“The customer is king and they are vital to any business, especially in the beginning. I aim to supply the consumer with the best product at the lowest price.”