A KEIGHLEY woman whose osteoporosis forced her to give up running her salon was invited to re-launch her former property as a new, extended hair and beauty business.

Christine Sharp, of Riddlesden, ran Salon 75A in Heaton for 50 years, before having to stop working eight years ago due to the severity of her brittle bone condition.

But last Friday, (Feb 23) she was invited back to her old premises in Haworth Road by the Wilsden-based Rashid family, who had bought the building from her, extended it, and have re-opened it as Bella Vista hair and beauty.

Taz Rashid said his wife Rubina and his 18-year-old daughter Alisha would be running the business.

Mrs Sharp, who cut the ribbon at the launch event, said: "I'm really delighted that it will be carrying on as a salon, and it was a very nice gesture of the family to invite me to the launch.

"When I first took over here this building was a police substation, and I renovated and converted it.

"After I had to finish working I let it out for seven years then sold it to Taz.

"He and his family are really enthusiastic about their new business, and it looks wonderful."

Mr Rashid said: "We've extended the building a lot – the work took nearly a year.

"For the opening we've invited friends and family down to enjoy some cakes and drinks and to have a look round. Everyone is very impressed.

"We wanted to have some of Christine's magic touch here today, and we hope the new business is as popular as she was when her salon was here."