You've got to hand it to Deborah: Shropshire beautician's digits are protected for £15 million

As part of the insurance policy, Deborah Mitchell, who works in Shifnal, must take special care to protect her digits from damage.

The 50-year-old must wear gloves to carry out basic everyday tasks, such as gardening and handling heated kitchen equipment. She also has to be careful when walking her Jack Russell dogs Paddy and Taffy and is mindful of getting paper cuts, using a letter opener on envelopes – while wearing gloves.

Deborah, who lives in from Codsall, began her beauty business Heaven Skincare in 1995 and is best known for creating bee venom products, including a bee sting facial kit, which is a favourite with the elite.

She stocks her products in salons around the region, including Oswestry, Church Stretton, Wellington and Shifnal.

Star-studded clients include Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; Duran Duran members, Danni Minogue and Tess Daly, as well as other Strictly celebs. The products have also been used by Michelle Obama.

Deborah, whose personal worth is now £33 million, said: "It all started because, around 15 years ago I got up in the middle of the night and as I got up in the dark, I injured my wrists – almost to the point of breaking them. I had six months of pain with my hands and I thought I've got to insure them, because they're the biggest asset of my business.

"As the business has grown, the value of my insurance has had to increase – so the more success I've had, the more they're worth."

Deborah, who is mother to Ella, 19, and Christopher, 18, massages her hands for 30 minutes each day, completing thumb rotations to prevent arthritis.

She said: "All my friends have been laughing at me about this, to be honest." she said.

"But as I make all the products myself, it's important that my hands are in the best condition they can be. They're an extension of my business, so I have to make sure they're protected."

Deborah regularly flies all over the world to treat high-profile celebrities and dignitaries.

"It can be quite unpredictable at times" she said. "I can get a call that needs me to be in New York or Hong Kong to treat a client, and if my hands aren't right, I wouldn't be able to go and treat them."

"I don't like to let anybody down, so not having the insurance is not an option for me."

Deborah became a mobile beauty therapist at the age of 17. She began by opening treatment rooms in the Holiday Inn in Telford.

Now her products are stocked in the rooms of exclusive hotels in the Hilton Group, the Burj Al Arab, and Waldorf Hotels. Now it is to appear in First Class on Emirates Airlines.

Deborah's inspiration for her most popular bee venom product comes from her sister Anne, who used to keep the insects.

She said: "I was treating a client and spotted myself in the mirror as I was doing it. I realised that though I was happy and smiling, I still had these frown lines on my face.

"As I didn't want botox, though I have nothing against it or those that choose to have it, I started thinking about natural products that could have a similar effect.

"As my sister used to keep bees, I think some of that knowledge was still in my head so I got up the next morning with an idea for the formula, using honey. And that started it off!"