MOST women expect to find themselves in a fancy salon overlooking the high street when getting their nails done.

However, Alison Massey’s business is based in a garden shed at her home in Shaw Drive, Knutsford.

Alison’s husband Tim designed and built the echo shed, which was a finalist in the National Shed Week Shed of the Year competition last year.

The shed is made of recycled materials, and was made by Tim as somewhere he could relax and play cards with his mates.

Alison, 45, worked as a carer for social services and for Cheshire East Council.

She was made redundant on New Year’s Day after 23 years’ service.

She was inspired to set up her business from a gel nail art kit Tim bought her for Christmas.

After practising on herself and her children, Alison realised how easy it was to do.

She researched courses on the internet, decided to do an NCI course and to start up a nail art business in the shed.

Alison said: “People have found the idea unusual, but when they got used to it they found the salon cosy and relaxing.”