AN English teacher-turned-chocolatier has celebrated the opening of her business after battling back from the serious women’s illness endometriosis.

A party thrown by Chockle’Art owner Lucy Waide-Edwards at her outlet on Chorley New Road in Horwich near Bolton, was attended by more than 100 people.

She launched the shop in premises she shares with digital agency Arena Creative and the Serenity Hair and Beauty Salon in February.

Chockle’Art specialises in delicious bespoke chocolate for events, special occasions, parties and workshops.

She has already supplied specialist chocolate for Coronation Street stars Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) as well as for the Cheshire Housewives TV show.

Lucy has also supplied garnishes for cocktails for the trendy bar/restaurant chain Neighbourhood in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

Meanwhile, her Rainbow range of products have been stocked in the Booths supermarket chain. Chockle’Art is also the only place which specialises in watermelon flavoured chocolate.

Lucy from Haslingden, who relocated to Horwich when she married local man Simon Edwards six years ago, developed her expertise while recovering from the serious medical condition and two side-impact car collisions in recent years.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus — the endometrium — grows outside the uterus.

It most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis.

Lucy said: “My health condition is ongoing, I’ll never recover from it unfortunately. That's why I think I've pushed so hard to get my dream in spite of my body failing me.

“The endometriosis is progressive. But I think it's important to point that out because there are lots of people out there with one path they had planned and then something happens and they have to sketch out a whole new life and path. You can either let it take your dreams or you can adapt and re-route.”

While she was recuperating from her health problems, Lucy was always messing about with cakes and chocolate.

“During that time, I discovered I had a real knack for it,” she continued. “I emailed an events company with examples of my work and that’s how I got the work with Kym and Simon.

“I turned 40 in February, and it was always my ambition to be on supermarket shelves and have my own chocolate shop by the time I was that age – and I’ve done it.

“I’m allowing myself to be very excited now. The visitors to the shop have been so supportive and Simon was fantastic, delivering leaflets informing local people about the event in the run up to the event.”

Lucy also paid tribute to the neighbouring businesses Arena Creative and Serenity. “They’ve been so helpful and supportive in my launch,” she said.

So far Chockle’Art has been promoted on Facbook at www.facebook.com/chocklearty/ but the business is already enjoying outstanding reviews from customers.