Fans of heavy metal and rock music will now be able to buy their favourite clothing, jewellery and other paraphernalia without having to travel as far as Leeds and Bradford.

Sarah Irving -- herself a heavy metal fan -- has decided to turn her own interest into a business and is opening The Rock Shop, at 1 Parkwood Street.

Sarah, 24, is a former student at Oakbank School and still lives in Oakworth.

She confesses: "I was always a dance music fan and had never given rock and heavy metal a chance until I went to the Donnington rock festival about six years ago.

"I was immediately hooked by the whole scene. My fiance Jamie McGinnis is a big rock fan and it was he who converted me."

Since then Sarah has found it difficult to get hold of the necessary clothing and other items of her favourite bands.

She added: "My sister, Emma, complained that she had to go to Leeds or Bradford for my birthday and Christmas presents.

"And when I started selling bits and pieces on e-bay recently I kept being asked if I had a shop that people could visit," she said.

"I decided it might be a good idea to start a business of my own."

The Rock Shop is importing T-shirts, coats, jewellery, posters and other items from the US.

It will appeal to fans of all rock and heavy metal bands, and will also stock some items of interest to goths.

"I plan to start in a small way at first, but if it takes off I would like to have a shop in town with a much bigger range of stuff," said Sarah, who has a BTEC in art and design from Keighley College and an HND in graphic design from Bradford University.

Picture: Sarah with some of the rock merchandise she will be selling.