A YOUNG deaf girl is the envy of her friends after her mother came up with a novel fashion idea.

Zahra Wilkinson, eight, was upset when mum Claire told her she was too young to have her ears pierced.

But the youngster, who lives in Wiveliscombe, where she attends primary school, was delighted when her mum made a pair of earrings to fit over her hearing aid.

Zahra was so pleased with her new jewellery that Mrs Wilkinson has since made several more models and even started her own business.

And it shows signs of taking off with orders from as far afield as Manchester and interest from America.

"Zahra mentioned that she wanted to wear earrings, but I told her she was too young to have her ears pierced," said Mrs Wilkinson, who also runs Claire's Cleaning.

"I got a pair of my earrings and hooked them over her hearing aids, but they didn't stay on when she started running around.

"So I began to wonder if I could make some that did stay on.

"I've got a jewellery making kit, so I got it out and made some to hook over the tube in her ear.

"Zahra helped design the first pair and she loves them.

"I've since made a couple of different ones for her."

The hearing aid earrings designs so far are aimed at children with subjects such as fairies, unicorns, stars and hearts.

And with Christmas coming up, Mrs Wilkinson is producing some festive charms with snowmen and other treats.

She added: "I am also making adult designs and will cater for any age and sex.

"People can tell me what they like and I'll adapt them.

"They just feed the hearing aid tube through the earring and attach it to the mould that goes inside the ear.

"Zahra has five or six different pairs now and her sister Heidi (aged six) says she wants some earrings now.

"I think it's given Zahra more confidence."

Mrs Wilkinson is taking orders on a Facebook page - anyone interested can place an order on the Zaza Rings page.