SOME people backpack around Thailand, or volunteer abroad.

But Alicia France-Evans, 18, has taken another route for her gap year, after deciding she wanted to set up her very own nail salon.

Instead of shelling out on expensive premises or renting a space in another salon, Alicia and her parents researched numerous ideas, before settling on transforming an old caravan into a salon to be proud of.

"We started this around 2 weeks ago, after I decided to take a gap year before hopefully heading off to drama school next year," Alicia told us.

"I needed a job that would fit around my amateur dramatics shows and being a creative person I decided to go down the nail technician route."

And once she'd made her mind up, there was no stopping her.

She and her parents bought the caravan on a Saturday morning and by that night the entire interior was ripped out.

"Me and my parents were so excited that we spent all day everyday for the next two weeks painting, sewing and drilling literally everything," Alicia grinned.

The entire project has cost around £1,500 - with £1,000 going on the caravan.

Everything else was done as cheaply as possible, with Alicia's mum sewing the pillows and making the seat covers from a fabric they bought from a charity shop and dyed black.

There are quirky details everywhere - from the neon signs that adorn the walls and the polkadot wallpaper to the TV and DVD player, where customers can choose their favourite chick flick to watch as they have their nails done.

Even its setting is picture perfect - with a cute picket fence going round the caravan in Alicia's parents' garden.

And when she's not in there doing other people's nails, Alicia will be using it to relax in.

"We wanted something unique and quirky that was not only a space for me to grown my business but somewhere other than my bedroom for me to chill out in," she explained.

Alicia is now hoping to get her fledgling business - Alicia France-Evans Beauty - off the ground, and will continue documenting her progress on her TikTok page, much to the delight of her 40,000 followers.

Dunnes Stores selling 'stylish' designer bag dupe - and it's €345 cheaper

I wanted to rewear my wedding dress so chopped the bottom & made a mini version

I'm a fashion pro - here's what's new in Penneys, including stunning €13 skirts

I’m plus-size – my belt hack will give you a snatched waist

©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)