A BUSINESS ran by an inspirational woman who tragically lost her husband and newborn baby within eight months has gone from strength to strength over the past two years and is now moving to a new premises.

Claire Delaney lost her two-month old daughter Gabrielle in 2008 shortly after her husband Colin died while she was pregnant.

Gabrielle lost her battle with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

Her dad passed away after developing endocarditis following surgery on an existing heart condition.

Mrs Delaney, of Butterwick Field in Horwich, launched her shop A Step at a Time in 2015, selling clothes for premature babies up to children aged eight.

The shop is currently based off Winter Hay Lane and is moving to 98 Winter Hey Lane on September 12.

It represents a step up for the shop and it will also be looking to expand the new premises.

Mrs Delaney, aged 37, said: “We’ve purchased our own premises in Horwich and we’re in the process of moving.

“It is very, very exciting. It is something we never anticipated being able to achieve really. We have been really welcomed into Horwich. We have got some really nice customers.”

The entrepreneur has previously raised money for Derian House Children’s Hospice, where Gabrielle was cared for and the British Heart Foundation and plans to organise events once in the new premises to support the good causes.

She also has big plans for the new premises.

Mrs Delaney said: “We are going to make it child oriented and, in the upstairs, we are going to have two businesses up there.

“There is also going to be an extension at the rear for our business. It is all exciting.”

One policy the shop has is that if someone leaves the labels on baby clothes and the worst happens to their child, they can bring them back for a refund with no questions asked.

Mrs Delaney’s 12-year-old son Cameron has a minor version of his dad’s condition and has to be closely monitored and the British Heart Foundation is set to carry out tests.

She has remarried and has a four-year-old daughter, Ava Neveah.

Her new husband also adopted Cameron last year.

Setting up the business was a big step for Mrs Delaney as she initially could not look at baby clothes or step in a baby shop but it is now thriving.

Her friends and family helped her get over the events of 2008 with ‘incredible support’.

She used to work as a conveyor but took the leap and started her own business.

Mrs Delaney admitted hitting rock bottom after the double tragedy but has since rebuilt her life.