A HEREFORD mum set up her own events company after overcoming a kidney condition.

Lauren Johnson, 27, launched Arch Events in July this year, which offers race nights, casinos, photo booths and AV hire throughout the Three Counties.

She was working in an office job but resigned as her four-year-old son, Archie, was due to start his summer holidays and then school, and there wasn't the option to take time off.

Her friend recommended The Prince's Trust in Worcester to her.

Miss Johnson said: "They help you start up your own business. I have always been involved with events as my dad runs his own events business and I have always helped with that."

The Prince's Trust is a youth charity that helps young people aged 13 to 30 get into jobs, education and training.

She went along as she qualified because she was 25, worked less than 16 hours a week and had a business idea.

Miss Johnson said: "They were fantastic. They run a course; an enterprise programme in Kidderminster. You see different areas of business and they talk you through that and give you guidance.

"At the end of the course you are assigned a mentor for two years."

And she did this after overcoming a rare kidney condition called Cystinuria.

Miss Johnson, who lives in Victoria Park in Hereford, was diagnosed with the condition when she was 19 after she was constantly being rushed to hospital with acute abdominal pain.

It is a inherited autosomal recessive disease that is characterised by high concentrations of the amino acid cystine in the urine, leading to the formation of cystine stones in the kidneys, ureter, and bladder.

She underwent keyhole surgery on both of her kidneys to remove the stones. Soon after she became pregnant with Archie.

She is now managing the condition; she must drink five litres of water a day.

Speaking about setting up her business, Miss Johnson said: "It was so daunting, especially with a house and a young child. There is no certainty of a monthly income.

"But I would 100 percent recommend the Prince's Trust. I think it is fantastic."