A young entrepreneur is set to open her own yoga studio.

Sophia Gigantelli, 20, has been running classes at various venues and began her career in yoga just two years ago.

Now she hopes to have her very own studio in a former barber shop, in Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh.

Miss Gigantelli has lodged an application to change the use of the premises and hopes if her plan is passed she can soon start turning it into a peaceful space for her classes.

The 20-year-old said: “I have been teaching a couple of classes a week at my old dancing studio, the Morgan Academy of Performance Art, but I wanted my own space so that I can personalise it and make it a nice environment.

“I want to start small with just six or seven students.

“I just want somewhere I can call my own for my students.

“ Rather than a church hall or dance studio I want somewhere yoga-related.”

Miss Gigantelli, who lives in Leigh, will wait up to eight weeks to find out if her application has been successful.

She added: “It’s only just gone in but hopefully we will hear at the end of March and we hope to open in April.

“I won’t be changing too much but will redecorate and there will be frosted glass to make it a bit more private. It will be quite basic and minimalist.

If it gets the go ahead, Yoga With Sophia will be open from 9am to midday and some evenings from 6pm to 9pm.

In her application, Miss Gingantelli said: “I can guarantee there will be no disturbance to the neighbourhood.

“The nature of yoga is calm and quiet. It benefits people mentally and physically.

“It will also be very eco friendly and eco efficient.”

Yoga has grown hugely in popularity in recent years as people seek relief from the stresses of daily life and Leigh is fast becoming a yoga hot spot with a number of centres across the town.

These include Shambhala Studios in Maple Avenue, Leigh Yoga in Dundonald Drive and Body Bliss Hot Yoga in London Road. Also in London Road is the Anahata Yoga Centre.