Tidy Books founder Geraldine Grandidier has raised £105,600 for just 11.35 per cent of her business through a crowdfunding platform.

Ms Gandidier founded the business with just £500 in 2004 to sell book shelves designed with children in mind.

A former violin-maker, the first Tidy Books shelves were created in her workshop.

Calling for investment in her business on crowdfunding site Crowdcube, she asked for £75,000, but attracted significantly more money through 116 investors.

One investor alone ploughed £15,000 into the business.

Tidy Books will use the money to expand overseas and further entrench its place in the UK market with stockists such as John Lewis and Mothercare.

Luke Lang, co-founder of Crowdcube said: “Tidy Books has not just raised capital by funding with us, it has gained a set of avid brand ambassadors with all sorts of business and other experience, who can help Geraldine expand the company into international markets.”