A LECTURER is swapping the classroom to run her own shop this festive season.

Nicola Young, who teaches art at West College Scotland, has hired the pop up shop in Gourock.

The mum-of-two is turning entrepreneur for the second time after the success of her summer shop in Kempock Street.

She said: "I have taken it on as a project with my daughter. We did it in the summer and it was a great success so I thought I would it again for Christmas."

Nicola works with students with additional support needs in the learner development department.

She has worked at the college for 18 years and is looking forward to her festive venture.

As well as teaching, Nicola told the Tele that she enjoys putting her artistic talents to good use for business and pleasure in her spare time.

Nicola, who lives in Greenock, with husband Dave and children Josephine, 14, and Gabriel, 12, said: "I do like to paint and draw and make my own jewellery. It's a hobby first and foremost, but they are skills that are obviously helpful for something like this."

Popular items during her summer venture were pictures of decorative vases filled with flowers, watercolour paintings, pop-art, handmade jewellery and painted silk scarves.

Nicola said: "Everything is caringly made by myself and people seemed to appreciate that. Hopefully they will like what I've got in mind for Christmas."

She was also swift to praise Kempock Street, saying: "It is an absolutely fabulous wee area, somewhere you can buy things that are a bit unusual.

"It's one of my little traditions, to have a browse and pick up wee bits of jewellery, then go for a coffee or lunch, so it's great now to be part of that.

"It's such a vibrant place with a brilliant sense of community and all the shopkeepers look out for each other and help if needed."

Nicola will be in the McGilps pop-up shop from December 21 to December 23.