Essentoily is an complementary therapy business run by former nurse Valerie Scholey.

Mrs Scholey will operate her new venture from Steps Ahead on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, will visit care homes on Thursdays.

She said: "I became interested in aromatherapy when I was a nurse and decided to study it to give me a second career on retirement.

"I studied aromatherapy and other complementary therapies in Leeds at the Thomas Danby College and I gained diplomas in aromatherapy, Swedish massage, reflexology and Indian head massage.

"I also gained certificates in hot stones, manicure and pedicure and I'm a reiki master and teacher."

A former Scarborough Girls' High School pupil she worked for the Civil Service in the town before training to be a nurse.

She later worked at St Mary's Hospital, Scarborough, before going to Leeds to take up her first post as a ward sister. She ended my nursing career as a modern matron in psychiatry at St James' University Hospital.

On retirement she began working as a mobile therapist, visiting nursing and care homes and people in their own homes.

"I just felt now was the right time to open up a treatment room in a salon and I'm looking forward to this next phase of my career."