WHEN businesswoman Naomi Fisher made Christmas cards with her two- year-old daughter Lauren last year, she discovered a gap in the market.

A year on, Ms Fisher is providing materials and ideas for children as far away as Australia, after setting up The Messy Play Company with friend Kate Bentley.

The Whitefield-based company is dedicated to helping parents enjoy creative play with pre-school age children, through its Stickybobs Activity packs.

Ms Fisher said: "As mothers ourselves, we knew how hard it was to find activities in the home to entertain little hands. The packs are proving popular with parents up and down the country, and one is even on its way to Australia.

"I didn't quite believe it when the order came through, but there is a real shortage of craft activities which have been specially developed with toddlers and pre-school children in mind."