A YOUNG couple from Leigh have turned their digital dreams into reality by starting their own menswear clothing line.

Boyfriend and girlfriend duo Jake Richardson and Hannah Williams, both aged 19, launched their new online fashion company J.M.R Clothing on Friday, with T-shirts and hoodies in the first collection.

Jake, of Nangreaves Street, Leigh, got the idea for the business after a module in his web development degree at Leeds Beckett University required him to design a clothing website.

He said: “I used to work at Burton in Leigh so I have always liked that style of casual and effortless fashion. I used that as inspiration and developed the ideas I started on the website into actual designs.

“It has always been my dream to start a quality menswear line and an independent label as I am a fan of them myself.

“Hannah and I took a long time choosing materials and found a manufacturer we loved so we are only putting out what we believe in and are well made.

“It has been crazy but we are so excited to finally have it up and running.

The new brand already has a top fan in the form of Leigh Centurions captain Micky Higham, who posted a picture of himself on Twitter wearing the ‘essential J.M.R Hoodie’.

Former Lowton High School student Jake added: “It was just mind blowing to have Micky Higham wearing our hoodie, I have always been a massive rugby fan and I used to play myself, so to have an idol of mine supporting us by wearing our stuff is incredible.

“I was speechless when I found out, honestly I am ecstatic.”

The brand name uses Jake’s initials JR and an ‘M’ as a tribute to Jake’s dad Mark who died last year at the age of 50.

Jake said: “My dad was always really supportive of me and my achievements so I know he would be so happy for me now.

“I wish he was here to see it but I hope that we will make him proud.”

The young entrepreneurs hope to add jogging bottoms and hats to the collection after Christmas as well as offering colour options on their initial designs.

For more information visit jmrclothing.co.uk or search for J.M.R Clothing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.