The parents of a child with a severe dairy allergy have opened up a new allergy-free food shop.

Michael and Michelle Merrett opened their new business, Allergy Free Foods and Alert Bracelets, at Colchester Business Centre, off the town’s Magdalen Street, after a year of running their business from their home in Haverings Close.

The couple were inspired to launch the business – which sells special allergy-free foods, including cake and bread mix – after discovering their two-year-old son, Christopher, was allergic to dairy, wheat, egg, soya and dust mites.

The youngster’s allergies were so bad that he could get ill by touching a shopping trolley.

Mr Merrett said he and his wife were keen to provide support for parents experiencing the same problems, as well as offer food products for youngsters with severe allergies.

“All our products are free from the top 14 allergents,” he said.

“Our son was very ill for a year and we just didn’t know why. Once he was diagnosed, we would become very wary of everything and every environment became a danger.

“We wanted to set up a support group for other parents going through the same thing.

“What has been so good about setting up the business is the number of parents who have come from Colchester, and further afield, and have said how wonderful it is that they can pick up anything from our shelves and know it is safe for their child.”

The business is open from 10am to 4pm. For more details, call 01206 871407 or go to allergyessex.co.uk