A FORMER college art student has launched her very own jewellery range with the help of a reality TV star.

Emma Hedley, a former art student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QESFC) in Darlington, has created the jewellery with Tanya Bardsley from The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

The collection, entitled Dreams to Reality, began with the concept of wish bracelets and is currently being sold in five House of Fraser stores across the North.

Ms Hedley discovered her talent for creating jewellery whilst completing a gap year in New Zealand and now designs wedding and engagement rings in her studio in Newcastle.

"I really enjoyed my time at QESFC, especially studying Art Foundation, as it gave me the chance to experiment with different ideas and mediums, and develop my presentation techniques," she said.

"The College gave me the space to focus on what I wanted to do in the future, allowing me to add depth of meaning to my work."

Laurence Job, vice principal of QESFC, said: "We are so proud of Emma and what she has achieved with her business – we wish her every success for the future."