A SUCCESSFUL fashion photographer from Droitwich has spoken out about the help she received to help her grow her business.

Elspeth Van Der Hole, who runs a photography business from her home in Droitwich at the age of 25, didn’t have an easy start in trying to get her foot on the career ladder, but now she’s keen to credit help she received from Worcestershire County Council and the Prince’s Trust.

Ms Van Der Hole studied for a degree in photography at Nottingham Trent University, but was hit hard in her third year following the death of her father from cancer.

She said: “I was devastated after my father died. I had always turned to him for advice and guidance in regards to my career. My father passed away. I threw myself into my photography. It was the only constant in my life. I’d spend hours in the dark room, I felt like I belonged there. I’ve learned that nothing comes easily and I’ve had to work really hard to build my career. The help and support I’ve had to get my business off the ground has been amazing.”

After graduating Ms Van Der Hole received help from the Prince’s Trust. She was assigned a business mentor and supported by Worcestershire Local Enterprise as well as benefitting from the scheme's decision to invest in superfast broadband in the area.

Worcestershire county councillor Simon Geraghty, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "Elspeth is a good example of a SME in need of improvements to her broadband service in order to compete against competitors. In recognition of the importance of faster broadband speeds, Worcestershire County Council, together with BT are in the process of rolling out superfast broadband to 90 per cent of residential and business premises across the county by mid-2016. Once complete, I know this will make a major difference to the ability of businesses across the county to compete in the digital world."