SOLICITOR Karen Turville has left the law behind to enter the world of children's toys.

She has established the first Formative Fun franchise business in Pilgrim Street, Newcastle.

It caters for children from birth to 16, supporting the national school and pre-school curriculum through educational toys.

Originally from South Shields, Karen studied law at Northumbria University then spent several years at a legal firm in York. She eventually hopes to be at the helm of a thriving business and has the option to open further Formative Fun franchises in Northumberland, Sunderland and at the Gateshead MetroCentre.

She said: "With an estimated ten million children in the UK aged under 12, there is enormous potential for a business like Formative fun.

"It was the actual company and its products that caught my attention as I wasn't specifically looking to start my own business."

Formative Fun stocks more than 1,000 different products ranging from dolls, activity cubes and wooden train sets to puzzles, games and science kits.

A website, www.formative-fun.com, provides a comprehensive guide and carries a special needs section.

Karen has already established links with her local playgroups and schools and has exhibited at a Special Needs Day at Northumbria University.