PARTY entrepreneurs Trevor Dixon-Cave and Neil Sims are carving our a niche for themselves in the giftware market with the production of a range of hand-sculpted cartoon mice figurines.

The South Shields duo, who have recently launched their own company called N and T Productions, specialise in the design and creation of collectable sculptures.

Their latest line of mice ornaments is the Cheesechasers. The figurine collection so far consists of 27 characters ranging from Alan Titchmouse to footballer SuperKev, will soon be on display in outlets of Collectables and Joplings.

The Cheesechaser concept was the brainchild of 25-year-old Neil Sims, who has been sculpting for 12 years.

He met up with Trevor, 50, who was looking for the right talent to develop a business idea.

Trevor said: "I'd previously had a small share in a figurine-making business, and having spotted the growth potential that existed there, was keen to start up my own venture."