A TELEVISION make-up artist has seen her bsusiness go from strength to strength with the help of council funding.

Natalie Jones, 24, of River Walk, Penarth, began studying her craft at university four years ago.

After a couple of years of working for various companies, she decided to go it alone and become freelance.

She applied for support from the Inspiring the Vale bursary scheme and found out she had been successful in October last year.

Ms Jones received a grant of £2,900, and said she was offered invaluable advice to expand her work.

"The grant has been a great help," she added. "It has allowed me to replenish my make-up stock and purchase new products and equipment.

£It has also allowed me to set up a professional looking website which is really useful."

Miss Jones has worked on numerous television broadcasts, including on a Christmas special for Welsh language channel S4C.

Her specialities lie in bridal and fashion makeup, special effects makeup, casualty effects makeup, wig making and body art.

She said some of the social media marketing tips she had received had already proved invaluable.

The Inspiring the Vale bursary scheme is open to people aged 16-30 intending to start a business or social enterprise.

They can apply for a grant of up to £3,000 as well as for advice and support in terms of legal matters, social media and marketing amongst other things.

It is run by Creative Rural Communities (CRC) which is a Vale Council led economic development initiative in partnership with various public, private and voluntary sector organisations.