HAVING a premature baby prompted a Winsford mum to launch her own business.

Graphic designer Amanda Lund founded Tots Tower, a play centre, after struggling to find a suitable place for her own daughter to relax and have fun.

Poppy was born 14 months early weighing only 1lb 7ozs.

"She came out of hospital the day before she was due weighing 4lbs," said Amanda, 31.

"She had lots of problems and had to have a heart operation. She is fine now but we couldn't find play areas where she wasn't pushed about by older children."

Amanda and her partner web developer Andrew Webster, 30, set up a play centre solely for the under fives in the Clock Tower on Dingle Lane.

"I stayed at home until Poppy started nursery," said Amanda. "I didn't want to go back to work if she needed help. Now we're in the town centre just two minutes from her school.

"We've been extremely lucky. From day one our customers have been fantastic.

"The centre has quickly established itself as a fun place to spend time with your little ones and meet up with friends.

"I never knew many people in town, now lots of people recognise me.

"It's lovely to spend special moments with children, seeing them come in as babies in the sensory room and then get more confident to run round the bigger play park."

Thousands of children have enjoyed soft play, imaginative games and educational fun since it opened in June last year.

In just 15 months, the centre has scooped two top awards.

Tots Tower won Salter's Den last year, after competing against new entrepreneurs in Northwich's version of Dragon's Den.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has just given them a gold award after a rigorous inspection.

Amanda said: "This achievement is something we are extremely proud of. We hope this award reassures parents when visiting us that they continue to do so allowing their little ones to use our play centre to learn, enjoy and gain confidence in themselves."

Going the extra mile to invest in extra safety precautions, she said, is their top priority

"We've fitted a grass covering on the main floor that is cushy and comfortable and put little plastic pieces on the corners of tables to take away the sharp bits. It's about forseeing any potential accident."

Poppy, now five, is making excellent progress.

"When she started nursery we had a few concerns about her but once we opened this place, they said they saw massive improvements," said Amanda. "It did help her a lot. She is still tiny but has caught up with everything else."

The couple have taken on a member of staff, Ellie Worthington, and hope to open another play centre.

"We would like to have another location, " added Amanda. "We're looking for the right place."