Angeline's new business takes the biscuit

MOTHER-of-two Angeline Fuller has taken the crunch out of the credit crunch by starting up her own business making novelty iced biscuits and cookies in Cheltenham.

From her home in Leckhampton, she is baking gingerbread men, heart-shaped cookies and luxury custard creams for parties, special occasions and corporate events.

From a childhood love of cooking, Angeline, 40, realised that there was a gap in the market in Gloucestershire for quality, handmade biscuits.

Made from scratch using local ingredients, the cookies produced by The Handmade Biscuit Company include a special range developed for Valentine's Day, including beautifully iced hearts with edible photos of loved ones, and gingerbread figures designed to represent individual couples' characteristics.

"I've always loved a good biscuit and growing up in the '70s I have vivid memories of biscuits as being a real treat, but I feel they haven't moved on much since then," said Angeline, who used to work in credit management and law.

"I've given old favourites like custard creams and bourbons a new lease of life with luxury versions made from better quality ingredients.

"After some research I found there were companies in and around London that made bespoke biscuits, but nothing in Gloucestershire.

"A freshly-made biscuit, made from locally-sourced, quality ingredients has no comparison to a mass-produced biscuit."

Angeline's mother was a dessert chef and she remembers being inspired to cook herself after watching her create amazing artistic desserts such as swans made out of meringues.

"When I worked in an office I baked at weekends as a way of relaxing, and when my children came along I started making novelty biscuits as party bag fillers for them and friends," she said.

Angeline already has produced biscuits for several companies and individual orders, as well as selling at craft fairs and Cheltenham Connect, of which she is treasurer.

"I've got no formal business training, but a background in finance and balancing books has proved invaluable," said Angeline, who has also been on courses with the FSB and Business Link.

"I am passionate about biscuits and baking, which helps when I am up at two in the morning completing an order for the next day."