THE scent of positivity is in the air at Kelly Protheroe's house.

She's been making wax melts to lift people spirits as well as give their senses a treat during lockdown.

The postwoman from Freshbrook got into the crafty hobby not long before the pandemic took hold.

Now she has set up a little stand outside her home and is sharing what she makes.

"I was off sick and bored. It takes your mind off of things that are going on. I handmake them just for something to do at the moment," she said.

“When you melt certain smells it brings back some memories which is really lovely. It’s been really nice to give back."

And her generosity hasn't gone unappreciated - although the melts are free she has been surprised to find some people have been leaving donations.

I let people take what they want and leave what they can afford. I didn’t expect it to be as popular as it was.

“It’s been really nice to make people smile and it’s been a good thing even if people can’t go out," she said.

The 29-year-old’s hobby started when she bought a candlemaking kit.

“I thought I might as well give it a go and I took over the whole kitchen and then I expanded, because you do need a bit of positivity.

Kelly can make a batch of about 500g in an hour. She then puts them in cellophane bags with a clip so people can collect them safely.

“They are fun to do and quite easy,” she added. “Everyone seems to like it and it’s been really nice."

At the beginning, she joined a group on Facebook to get advice and posted about her creations on there.

“I had a lot of people reply. I got lots of tips as well from experienced people who have been making them for years, it’s helped me improve."

She suggested anyone wanting to start making their own wax melts should join the Facebook group Wax Melts for Beginners.

“I recommend joining that to anyone who wants to start because they can tell you where to go to buy the kit or get help get you started.