A former Top Gear presenter has expanded her handmade chocolate business by opening a gift shop in the centre of a north Suffolk town.Motoring journalist Helen Fraser made a drastic career change last year when she formed her own confectionary company at her home in Eye.

A former Top Gear presenter has expanded her handmade chocolate business by opening a gift shop in the centre of a north Suffolk town.

Motoring journalist Helen Fraser made a drastic career change last year when she formed her own confectionary company at her home in Eye.

The ex-Top Gear star, who presented the flagship BBC programme with Jeremy Clarkson in the early 1990s, has now found a retail home for Coco Mama The Dove Valley Chocolate Co.

The 40-year-old opened her new business premises last week after buying the Tilting Sky gift shop in Lambseth Street, Eye.

The mother-of-two, who is about to celebrate her first year of trading with Coco Mama, will stock a selection of pre-ordered luxury handmade chocolates in the shop, which will still sell jewellery, homeware, accessories, and greeting cards

Mrs Fraser, who moved away from motoring journalism in 2007 because of family commitments, is also planning to establish her own production unit for her growing chocolate company.

The new retail venture, just before the busy Easter period, comes after former owner Hazel Goodey decided to sell Tilting Sky after three years running the gift shop.

'It was a challenge I felt I couldn't refuse, and as a family we are all very excited to be taking on such a wonderful local business,' said Mrs Fraser.

'It's certainly not an easy way to make a living, no handmade product is. I have been cautious about expansion, with so much investment in equipment and product development, the business is yet to make a profit, but I hope to turn that corner in our third year,' she said.

For more information, visit www.cocoamama.co.uk