AN entrepreneurial duo have spoken of their pride after taking the plunge and launching their own range of baby and toddler clothing.

Sisters Sarah Gant and Emma Kelly took their first tentative steps into the retail world just under three years ago.

They formed Twinkledust and have since gone from strength to strength, producing a truly UK-manufactured product from their base in Wivenhoe.

They design beautiful clothing for little ones, with their range being from newborn to four years old.

They are also passionate about supporting British businesses, so all their materials are designed and printed in the UK.

Mrs Gant, 35, said: "I used to trade base metals for an investment bank and Emma still works in London as a PA.

"However, after having children, we decided we wanted to set up Twinkledust.

"Children's clothing was our passion but neither of us come from retail backgrounds, so every part is a learning curve along the way.

"We love that we are sisters and a small family business.

"We pride ourselves in sourcing and making every collection in the UK.

"Our prints are designed by ourselves, printed on 100 per cent super-soft jersey cotton using nickel-free poppers and safe water-based inks, and produced in Leicester.

"A team of lovely ladies make our collections and even our luxury gift boxes are made in Billericay.

"We are truly made in the UK."

Mrs Gant has two daughters, Ella, four, and Alicia, five, while Mrs Kelly has a son, Oliver, six, and daughter Imogen, five.

In addition to supporting UK businesses and having customers around the world, the pair believe their company goes the extra mile to help customers and the north Essex community.

Mrs Kelly, 36, said: "We pride ourselves on our customer service and nothing is too much trouble.

"We have a lot of repeat customers and feel that when people purchase from us they will come back, so we make sure everything is beautifully wrapped and presented.

"We gave our Christmas sleepsuits to Colchester Maternity Ward last Christmas Eve.

"It meant any babies born on Christmas Day would get a lovely little package.

"Further afield, Bristol's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit renamed their ward Seahorse so we gave them some of our lovely seahorse collection."

For more details, see www.twinkledust.co.uk