THE latest innovation in nail art might not be to everyone’s taste – but when it comes to capturing nature’s beauty one designer has got it nailed.

Using the little critters in her designs, Stockton Riverside College student Leanne Douglass has struck upon a unique idea that sets her services as a nail technician apart from the competition.

“I was looking for something different,” said the mum-of-two from Stockton. “My mum’s snake shed its skin. I thought to myself that would look good on a sculptured nail.”

Inspired into trying other alternate items, she started incorporating feathers, crickets and even locust wings in to her designs.

Collecting the already deceased bugs from her local pet store, and using a complex sanitising process, the 28-year-old creates her eye-catching designs,

And her distinctive idea has won her fledgling business, Aurora Nails, the backing of Stockton Riverside College’s enterprise forum after she was invited to pitch for a panel, made up of business, university, council and voluntary sector leaders.