A FORMER nurse has swapped one form of stitches for another by launching her own craft business.

Sandra McCorkell, 52, has been pursuing cross stitching for more than 30 years and now she has opened her own shop in the town centre.

The premises in West Blackhall Street sits just yards where she got her first job as a receptionist with optician's Lizars when she left school.

Sandra, of Belville Avenue, said: "I feel I've come full circle.

"I think it was meant to be - I kept looking at shops and this was the best location.

"It's like coming back home."

Sandra says she has been inundated with inquiries and customers, including cruise ship passengers.

She said: "It has been phenomenal.

"People have been in asking for ribbons, bows and buttons.

"I'm also going to start cross-stitch, knitting and crochet classes in the autumn.

"I've got a list of people who've signed up."

Another potential customer, Veronica Pollard, called in when the Telegraph was interviewing Sandra.

Veronica said: "I'm doing sewing and alterations and I think this is great - we need this kind of shop in the town."

Sandra trained as a nurse but gave up to look after her husband Brian, who was not in good health at that time.

Sandra wants to thank him and her friends Jeanette and Andy in Bawhirley Roadffor all their support getting her new shop up and running.

She said: "I don't think I'd ever have opened the shop without them."