YOUNG Burnley entrepreneur Katherine Gasse has traded a career in engineering to start her own business making cushions.

Kat first hit on the idea to make floor cushions at the end of last year when she made her friend a leather cushion for her birthday. When more and more people asked her to make them one, she decided to turn it into a full-time career.

Kat, who lives in Crawshawbooth, left Mansfield High School at 16 and went on to to become a fully-qualified engineer at HP Inmans in Barrowford where she still works part time as an inspector to earn extra money to finance her new business.

One of her first projects is to design cushions in the colours of football clubs throughout the country and she is already working in the claret and blue of her home town team.

"I'm really excited about my new venture and I've got so many ideas!" said Kat. "I can be my own boss and be responsible for my own actions. Everyday, I set new goals and everyday is different and I no longer expect to be in the same position a year from now."

Kat has received business support and advice from Burnley Enterprise and attended a two-day business workshop to learn about finance, sales and marketing. She is also a member of Burnley Business Club and the Women into Business Network which are both organised by Burnley Enterprise.