A mum who set up her own business selling model horses will achieve her lifetime ambition of creating her own range after raising her £25,000 target.

Becky Benfield, 31, of Yeldham Road, Stambourne, launched Utterly Horses aged just 16, turning it into the UK’s largest stockist of Breyer model horses, selling scale model horse replicas, model saddles, stables and even manure.

The toys are bought by children and collectors alike and have been shipped as far away as Australia.

The entrepeneur, who runs her shop from Broad Road in Braintree, always hoped to create her own models of British native breeds after equine enthusiasts found major American manufacturers focused on South American, American and Arabian varieties.

In November, Miss Benfield set up a crowdfunding page online so others can help fund her range, entitled Copperfox, and more than 250 people donated £28,000 - £3,000 over her target.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.