Tamia's passion for fashion

Because if her recent success is anything to go by, the seven-year-old Ingol girl could soon be the next big thing in British fashion.

For two years the Cottam Primary School pupil has had a passion for fashion, and after being given a sewing machine for Christmas, she has been hard at work producing her own accessories.

“She’s very naturally gifted with anything crafty, so when she got the machine at Christmas, she started making cushions”, said mum Sarah, 28.

“But it meant she needed constant adult supervision and we wanted her to be able to do something with her older sister Tyrah who is 10. When my youngest daughter Tala got some hair bows, Tamia saw them and decided she’d have no problem making her own, which was ideal.”

Tamia set about teaching herself the techniques required from her books and from YouTube tutorials, and has so far made over 100 bows.

Sarah, an in-home carer, said: “Orders are coming in every day. Tala’s nursery, Little Stars, have been really supportive, with orders from staff and from other parents. Tamia is quite a shy child, so it’s brought her a lot of confidence to see people wearing what she’s made.

“She’s enjoying it too, and it’s better than her being glued to a computer after school.”

Tamia has decided to give a proportion of the money from the bows to the charity Sense, as she has several family members with hearing and sight impairments. She has so far managed to raise around £75.

Sarah added: “She’s a real self-starter, very thoughtful, and I hope this is something she can make a successful career out of.”