A pharmacist is rubbing shoulders with Bollywood stars after developing the first range of cosmetics designed specifically for Asian skin.

Shashi Gossain, of Jersey Road, Hounslow, only launched PharmaClinix two years ago but it is has already clocked up nearly two million sales from London to Saudi Arabia.

The 49-year-old, who runs a clinic in Bramley Road, North Kensington, spent five years creating the line after spotting a gap in the market and said she was amazed no one had come up with the idea for an Asian skincare range before her.

"I was dealing with lots of customers who had skin conditions specific to the Asian community so I decided to do something about it," said the mum-of-three. "Asian skin's prone to developing dark patches, or hyper-pigmentation, especially after exposure to the sun, during pregnancy or when people are very run down.

Shashi's success has earned her the London title in the HSBC Start-up Stars Awards and the chance to win s50,000 if she scoops the national prize at a glitzy bash in central London on October 29.

But the biggest bonus has been the chance to mix with her screen idols on the red carpet after signing a series of lucrative sponsorship deals with Bollywood producers.

"It's been an amazing opportunity to meet people like Hrithik Roshan, whose Bollywood blockbuster Krrish is the Indian equivalent of the latest Batman film," said Shashi.