A woman who got tired of working in administration is enjoying a new lease of life after starting a business that creates edible bouquets out of fruit.

Ally Thornton has made a successful start to her entrepreneurial career after launching what she believes is the only business of its kind in Scotland last month.

Edinburgh-based Apeeling Fruit Bouquets creates edible displays out of ingredients including chocolate-covered cherries, and pineapples carved into the shape of petals.

Ms Thornton, 47 has already picked up orders for fruit displays for five weddings and some corporate customers.

Now she is in talks about selling her fruit creations at a catering outlet during the forthcoming festival season in Edinburgh which would see her work on offer to the thousands of tourists who flock to the capital in August.

"I'm loving it. It's great being your own boss," she said, adding: "I've turned a hobby into a business."

Ms Thornton said the experience she has gained to date has already vindicated her decision to take the risk of turning her back on a steady job with an accountancy firm to try to start a new life.

After spending 18 months combining work with caring for her terminally ill father Ms Thornton decided to visit her sister in Canada to explore some new options.

"I just got totally fed up with it and I decided to toddle off to Toronto for four months to have a break," said Ms Thornton, who sold her house to raise money to fund a possible career change.

When she saw a fruit bouquet that was presented to her sister in Canada, Ms Thornton became excited about the possibility of working in the field.

She spent more than $500 [£320] taking tuition in fruit carving at an adult learning centre and from a private tutor in Canada.

Following her return to Scotland she learned about the craft and business of making fruit bouquets from an expert in Wales.

Ms Thornton was able to use the proceeds of her house sale to establish her business in a shop on Dalkeith Road in Edinburgh.

However, she praised the support she has received from Royal Bank of Scotland, which gave her an overdraft facility.

She said Angela Tunnah, a business specialist at RBS, had helped throughout the process of starting the business.

Ms Thornton, who prepares her orders fresh every day, believes the business is capable of turning over £50,000 annually and she has ambitions to expand across the country.

Over the next six months Ms Thornton hopes to recruit her first employee to provide a delivery service.

She also wants to offer work experience to people keen to learn more about what is a niche industry.

Prices start at £5 for a box of strawberries or apple wedges up to £120 for a strawberry tower and £200 for a wedding cake although Ms Thornton also takes on bespoke arrangements if asked.