A YOUNG entrepreneur got a shock when riot police were called to an event she attended for the launch of her online retail site.

Laura Moss used the Fashion and Lifestyle Exhibition at the Trafford Centre to launch her new firm Rex and Regina.

But after a disappointing turnout, angry exhibitors remonstrating with organisers led to the riot police intervention.

Director George Moss, Laura’s dad, said organisers had expected visitor levels to be around 15,000.

He said: “Although many of the top North West retail bloggers were in attendance, drawn to the Rex and Regina stand by a Twitter campaign, fewer than 500 people came to the exhibition.”

Laura, 22, who founded her company in the Entrepreneurship Bridge at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy earlier this year, said: “This was not what it said on the packet but at least we met a lot a high-quality fashionistas, and while negative PR for the event organisers was justified, we can put this down to experience.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called to the event on October 12 and one fixed-penalty notice was issued.