Former prison officer living dream after starting kids' clothes brand

A FORMER Strangeways prison officer turned her simple idea into a full-time business - saying she now sells out "all the time".

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

Melissa McQuade first got the idea for her children's eco-friendly clothing company, Charley's Wild World, back in 2020.

It was during lockdown that she fell pregnant with her daughter Charley and wanted to buy her animal-themed outfits.

Struggling to find any clothes that were sustainable and made in the UK, the 42-year-old, from Atherton, decided to create her own clothing line.

The mum-of-one spent a year researching different designs, inks and fabrics before sourcing a team of seamstresses.

Melissa launched the company in November 2021 and watched as the orders flooded in - saying she now sells out of stock constantly.