Nursery pupils test drive'Paperpods'

The range, which Alison describes as, "an excellent vehicle for learning", are made from eco-friendly recycled heavy duty, corrugated cardboard and include a toy fort, a dolls house, a den, paperpod, chair, teepee and rocket.

Paul, who had previously worked for twenty five years as a packaging designer, came up with the idea for the range when wife Alison became manager of the nursery.

He said: "I just started making small things for the children at home and it developed from there. I've got about ten different products now and the sales have been phenomenal. It's just been licensed to sell in America and Canada - hopefully we'll soon be selling into Europe and Australia as well."

Paul gave full credit to Alison as it was her idea to leave the products brown, or 'blank canvas', in order to encourage children's creative, artistic skills, let their imagination run riot and, personalise them by painting or drawing their own designs on them.

All the items come flat packed and are easy to assemble, and, unlike most toys once finished with they have the added bonus of being completely recyclable; even the packaging that they arrive in can be recycled.

Mums and Dads will be delighted to hear that the products are just as easy to fold flat again for storage.

Alison said the products have really taken off and added: "From the children's point of view they are well-designed innovative products, they encourage social interaction, and enable imaginative play which is sometimes lacking in toys that you buy nowadays."

The children at Battle Abbey nursery certainly appeared to be having a marvellous time playing in the 'den',and 'rocket', four year old Ethan said he liked the rocket best and thought that it was, "really good," whilst four year old Ruby said:"I think I like the doll's house best, I like the way you can see through the windows and you can draw all outside of it."

Paul said that despite being extremely busy with orders they can still deliver in time for Christmas, for more information telephone 0845 124 9509 or visit the web-site at www.paperpod.co.uk.