A woman who gave up working full-time in retail to bake cakes from her horsebox says she is "living her dream."

Kaitlin Hardy spent her early years working at Zara in Bluewater, Greenhithe, before setting up Sugar Mae’s Cakery.

After giving birth to her son, Elijah, she decided not to return to the popular Spanish clothing brand.

She instead decided to quit the retail world to pursue her love of cakes by opening a mobile business.

Her first step was to buy a horsebox - a trailer usually used for transporting horses but which can also be used for storage space - so she could pitch it up in multiple places across her hometown of Rainham.

It's a decision the mum-of-one, whose middle name is Mae, says she has never looked back on.

The 24-year-old explained: "I would always be baking with family and friends growing up.

"It's something I have always enjoyed doing, and that's why I'm going for it now on my own.

"After I had my baby two years ago, my company wanted me back working as early as 7am and as late as 11pm sometimes.

"But I couldn't have coped with the hours while looking after my son, so I was struggling at the time even though I really enjoyed the job.

"That's when I realised I wanted to do my own little thing without working for anyone else.

"If I had to put my son in childcare whilst I was working, then that money would have just gone towards that as he was just six-months old when I started.

"I also baked cakes for places like The Albion in Newington before it closed down, but then the opportunity came to buy the horsebox which I knew would be perfect.

"I obviously attach my horsebox to my car and as it's on the street and have had to get my trading licence, plus certificates for things like hygiene and health and safety.

"So after being told by the people closest to me for ages that I was good at baking, I couldn't look the other way."

Kaitlin, who has spent her entire life living in Rainham, currently has two sites she uses for the business.

One pitch is set up outside United Services Club in the high street, while the other is by Spice Fusion in Deanswood Drive, both in the town, where everything is made fresh.

She added: "We sell waffles, waffle sticks, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, blondies and millionaire's shortbread - all the original baking products people like.

"I'm working two days a week on a Thursday and Friday, and am already booked up with fayres and festivals for the rest of the year at places like Faversham, Sheerness and Gravesend Market.

"I have also had pop-up stalls at Hempstead Valley and at the Pentagon in Chatham.

"It's just quite expensive eating out at some cakes shops in the high street, so that's why I think people come over and look at what's made.

"My food is really bright and colourful and I hope my customers and people in Rainham are happy with what I've done.

"When I was little I always used to say people my dream was to become a baker, so the fact I am living my dream now makes me happy."