A female student who was told only boys could be mechanics has set up her own online business to help fuel her dream and prove them wrong.

Maddy Lovett, of Acorn Road, Sheerness, has wanted to fix cars since she was eight-years-old after being on the sides of the racetrack with her dad.

The 16-year-old, who makes the hour-and-a-half journey from the island to Broadstairs College three times a week for her mechanic’s course, says working with motors has improved her mental health and “makes her feel strong”.

The determined student dedicates her weekends and summer holidays to work experience at an independent garage, all while running her own online side hustle to fund her dream.

Maddy has been supported by her entire family, and despite some at school telling her she should do hair or cooking instead, she is determined to pursue her dream.

Speaking to KentOnline as part of International Women’s Day, she said: “I’m the only girl in my class so that was really nervewracking.

“I have had some immature people at school say things like girls shouldn’t be mechanics.

“You should go and do cooking or hair and beauty instead, but that’s not a bit of me really.”

“I just want to prove them wrong I haven't really got anything to say to it because I know that I can overcome it and I can do it.”

While these comments used to upset Maddy she doesn’t let it impact her anymore because she is “out doing what I love every single day”.

Since taking the course and starting work experience Maddy says she has never felt out of place in an auto repair shop.

“When I first started, I did have my doubts like will I be able to do it and would I be strong enough because that's one of the main parts, but you overcome these things and you get stronger and you learn,” she added.

Although Maddy dedicates six out of seven days of the week to becoming a mechanic, back in November she decided to use her social media skills to start an online business.

Her online Facebook group ‘TheFmWardrobe’ sells products such as sweets, jewellery, clothes homeware and perfume.

However, after receiving no orders last month she decided to promote her business in different community pages and received a tremendous response for her “incredible work ethic.”

The motoring enthusiast, who is saving for tools and driving lessons, took to Facebook to call for support.

She wrote: “I'm a 16-year-old student doing mechanics! I absolutely love everything about them. Trouble is, the route I'm taking needs a lot of input before you see the rewards.

“I also have my own business to help me with costs of everything! Travel, equipment, tools and even so I can learn to drive once I'm 17 in June!”

“If you'd be interested in joining my Facebook group where I promote all my lovely products, such as sweets, jewellery, clothes, home wear and perfumes please let me know.

“With money being tight for some people I'm just as grateful when my posts are liked and shared.”

Since sharing these posts, her business Facebook page has grown from 120 people to 515.

She added: “I’d really love if more people my age could gain this work ethic and try their hardest to get that drive and passion for what they want to do in life.”

But despite having ample drive now, Maddy said there was a time during her GCSE’s when she struggled with her mental health and felt like “nothing was worth it”.

This all changed in February last year when Maddy went to her local garage to ask for work experience and began working there every Saturday.

“As soon as I started working it got a bit better and then I've come to college and I'm out every day, doing something and it's just so much better.”

Maddy, who hopes to be fully qualified by her early 20s, says her ultimate dream is to work doing pit side mechanics in the motorsports industry.

When asked what she would say to other young girls who are considering a career in mechanics she said: “Just do it, you haven’t got anything to lose!”

“There will always be people who tell you you can’t do it, but on the other hand there will always be people who tell you, you can do it!”

You can follow Maddy’s journey to becoming a fully qualified mechanic on her Instagram account @madds.motors