Fruit loving tots are inspiration for young Burnley couple to open their own greengrocers

Now the tiny duo are the 'poster' boy and girl for Rosegrove Fruit and Vegetables which has been given a warm welcome by residents in the closeknit Burnley neighbhourhood.

"We have received such a positive response and been so busy, " said Kelly Gorton who has opened the shop with her husband, Gary.

"The children cannot get enough fruit and as soon as we buy it's gone, we were spending a fortune but it's something we really want to encourage."

Gary came up with the idea of opening their own business when he saw the newly vacated shop premises in Lowerhouse Lane. The area has not seen a shop of this type for many years

They are combining running the shop with their full time jobs and looking after the children.

Gary (28) is a digger driver and groundworker and Kelly (29) is a healh care assistant at Burnley General Hospital.

Gary said: "We already have regular customers and so many people say they are delighted to see a fruit and veg shop in the community.

"And many are just pleased to get out and about and chat to someone after being stuck in for so long due to the pandemic."

Together for 10 years, the couple tied the knot in December, after Covid-19 forced them to postpone the big day twice.

They have refurbished the shop in a rustic style and have made a pledge to be as green as possible by cutting down on plastic and using paper bags and cardboard boxes.

And any waste from the shop is duly shipped off to the couple's allotment where they keep chickens.

Gary said: "We never knew that chickens love grapes, they eat them whole."