A NANNY with more than eight years experience has set up her own agency.

Karen Waite, from Ingleby Barwick, has set up the Bright Stars Nanny Agency, which serves Teesside and Darlington, as well as other areas of the North-East.

She has three nannies on the books and a further four are having applications processed.

The nannies undergo stringent police checks and all qualifications are double-checked.

Ms Waite has clients in the Teesside area, but is hoping to attract more from the Darlington area.

She said: "It can be difficult being a nanny. I am lucky - I have gone from job to job, but some nannies are out of work for long periods. This gives them some kind of security and also means parents can be sure their children are in safe hands

"There are not many nanny agencies in the North-East, and there seemed to be nowhere for nannies to go to find work."