A MOTHER-OF-THREE is turning her passion for confectionery into a dream career with the launch of her own chocolate-making business.

Self-confessed chocolate-lover Marian Richardson has set up a workshop in Lowestoft so she can host parties, corp-orate events and lessons to show people how to make their own chocolates.

Inspired by her late husband Anthony, Mrs Richardson set up her chocolate shop, Richardsons, in Carlton Road, Lowestoft, in 2006. Now, she has turned the front of the building into cooking space for groups of up to 20 people.

She said: 'I've been making chocolate for many, many years, and my husband was always my guinea pig. He always joked that I should have my own shop because my chocolate was so good, and then, when he died five years ago, I set up my shop in his memory.

'Customers were always asking me how to make chocolate and for cooking tips, so I realised there was a demand for chocolate-making classes and have now set up this business to do just that.

'I absolutely love it. I look at the shop as my happy place. It is impossible to feel sad or stressed here, and I get so much out of sharing that with other people. I suppose I'm very lucky to be able to look forward to coming to work every day.'

As well as giving people the chance to learn a new skill making truffles, chocolates and cup cakes, her workshops have been booked for corporate away-days, ladies' nights and Christmas parties.

Mrs Richardson, who lives at Carlton Colville, said: 'There's not really anything else like this in Lowestoft. The business team-building events I've hosted so far have been really successful, and I've found that businesses are keen to find something which anyone can do.

'It's lots of fun, and people seem to find that it's a great way to de-stress away from their usual work pressures. They also get something to take home at the end of it, either to eat themselves or give as a gift.'

To find out more visit www.richardsonschocolates.co.uk or call Mrs Richardson on 07578 606479