A MUM-of-two is set to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening a crafty cafe and hopes the centre will be a fitting tribute to her much-loved auntie.

Laura Solan, from Orford, is preparing to welcome her first customers to Sunshine’s Cafe in Latchford Village on Saturday. But she said her ambitions would not have come true without the help of her aunt Margaret Davidson, who died last October after a short battle with stomach cancer.

Laura, 27, said: “My auntie always took me to do lots of painting and craft activities so she brought out this passion. She was definitely an inspiration to me.

“She was just 69 when she died. It’s just a horrible disease, she looked so young and active. She was like a mum to me.

“But now I’m feeling positive because something like this means that she has a legacy. She would have been made up, she would have been my best customer.”

Laura has been saving up for years to launch her own business and thanks to a small boost from the inheritance, she has been able to make her dreams a reality.

The cafe will feature workshops on pottery, painting, crochet, jewellery making, sewing and other activities for all ages. And Laura hopes it will be a relaxing place for families and friends to meet.

The former William Beaumont High School pupil, who is mum to three-year-old Sophia and one-year-old Freddie, is a former dancer and has run craft classes.

Laura, who now lives in newton-le-Willows, added: “ I have been dreaming of opening something like this since I was really young, I remember making my first business plan when I was about eight - it was more like the Trafford Centre then, you don’t realise at that age how much work it takes.

“I can’t wait, I just want to open the doors and let everyone in. I want to make it part of the national craft community because crafting is all about making the best of what you’ve got and upcycling.

“I’m really excited but there’s still lots to do, I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep over the next few days but I just can’t wait to get started.”

Sunshine’s Craft Cafe at 730 Knutsford Road opens on Saturday with activities for families, special guests, food and drinks from 10am until 4pm.

Visit facebook.com/Sunshinescraftcafe for more information.