WHEN NIKKI Todorovic goes to work each day the first thing she does is think of her mum.

She was devastated after her mother, Mary Margitson, died of cancer last September aged 62.

Using £35,000 of her inheritance, Mrs Todorovic, 40, and her husband Vic, 34, decided to mark Mrs Margitson’s memory by opening a new business.

Combining Mr Todorovic’s catering skills and her late mother’s love of barbecues, the pair opened BBQ Bites takeaway in The Causeway, Bicester, selling smoked ribs, pulled pork and beef, home-made burgers and hot dogs.

Mrs Todorovic said her mum was known as the “queen of the barbecues” adding: “Everyone who knew my mum knew when she had a barbecue, even if it was for four people, there would be enough for 20 people.

“We wanted to invest in our future and obviously make an investment in Bicester — my roots are in the town.”

The family moved to Bicester in 1980s as Mrs Todorovic’s father Les, who died in 2008, was formerly a staff sergeant with 518 Company, part of 23 Pioneer Regiment, at St David’s Barracks.

The couple, who have a daughter Megan, two, have been trading for a few weeks. Mrs Todorovic said feedback has been “positive”.