INTERNATIONAL interest has helped a children’s nursery illustration firm push turnover past the £100,000 mark.

Daisy and Bump, run by husband and wife team, Chris and Jessie Bowman, was founded in 2013 and specialises in prints of characters for youngsters.

It is now exporting around the world, with online UK sales supported by custom in Australia and the US.

The business is based at the Palace Hub, in Redcar, and began when Mrs Bowman started drawing characters in her spare time.

Both she and husband Chris studied fashion design at university in London, but the 27-year-old said she struggled to find a role in the industry, spending several years in the retail sector.

However, after honing her skills, she soon developed Daisy the Rabbit, who was followed by Bump the Elephant.

She said: “It’s all taken off so fast we’ve hardly had chance to catch our breath.”

The company has received support from the Enterprise Team, which is part of Redcar and Cleveland Council and offers coaching to help firms move premises, increase turnover and improve profits.

Mrs Bowman added: “The coaches have been fantastic and provided us with advice on all kinds of things, such as marketing and accounting.

“It’s also just reassuring to know there is someone at the end of a phone should we run into problems or need some guidance.”

Councillor Mark Hannon, Redcar and Cleveland Council’s cabinet member for economic development, praised the company.

He added: “Daisy and Bump is a great example of someone having an idea for a business and doing all they can to make sure it becomes a success.”