A SMALL business in Burnham has taken another step towards taking care of the planet by now running on renewable energy.

Handmade jewellery store Smoke and Ash in Alexandra Road is run by Sarah Adams out of her home.

To further the eco-friendly principles of her business, she installed solar panels onto her workshop.

With electricity being vital to her jewellery-making process and with energy prices on the rise that could be potentially harmful for a small business, Sarah made the decision to switch to a greener power source.

Sarah Adams said: "We live in a very linear world, gone are the days where we 'make do and mend', it seems as though ease and convenience takes priority over being mindful of our environment.

“People are quick to buy a cheap set of earrings or necklace from a high street shop without a second thought about the process behind making it.

“I aim to create quality handmade products with a bit of a luxurious feel at an affordable price"

She added: "I love that I can build a relationship with my customers, I often see the same faces coming back whether it's at the monthly farmers market or through workshop collections."

She has gone from strength to strength in her first year of business and is now fully self-employed with two online stockists.

Ms Adams focused on making her business as eco-friendly as possible by using recycled silver as much as possible in her designs, eliminating plastic from her packaging and only using recycled cardboard and paper.

Smoke and Ash will be at the Burnham Farmers Market on Sunday at the Village Hall in Devonshire Road and also at the Burnham Quay day on August 27.

For details, visit www.smokeandash.co.uk.