A COUPLE who went from foodbanks to setting up a business creating luxury chocolates and cakes have thanked the customers who helped them stand on their own two feet.

Ben and Vicky Ellis, from Leeming Bar, suffered a major setback when Mrs Ellis, who had been severely injured in a childhood crash, was involved in an accident in 2016 which caused recurring problems.

It meant Mr Ellis had to spend more time caring for her, helped by their ten-year-old son Samuel.

A year ago the couple had another baby, Joseph, and after deciding to set up their own business have worked tirelessly to make it a success.

Mrs Ellis, 36, said: “In 2018 things were so bad we were basically living on nothing, we did end up using foodbanks, but we were determined to stand on our own two feet.

"We had always worked hard and been passionate about what we did but after the crash Ben had to cut back more and more on work to care for me.

"Then a generous family member helped us to set up at home so we could work on the business in the time that was best for us.

Ben is a brilliant pastry chef and chocolatier, I concentrate on the business side and between us we make a good team.

“Our son Samuel has been an absolute star he really does help with caring for Joshua and helping me. "Over the past few months people have been amazing. They have been so supportive and helpful and it has made all the difference in enabling us build up the business as much as we possibly can.

"It’s still largely run through Facebook but we have more and more orders coming in all the time.”

The couple are branching out into vegan chocolates with Ben staging masterclasses and recording tutorials to help people make their own cakes and chocolates. The business is on the Facebook page Ben Ellis Pastry Chef & Chocolatier.