A search for a second-hand chest of drawers ended up inspiring Carolyn Baxter to set up her own business, supplying vintage pedal cars for children's parties.

She said: "We were looking for a chest of drawers and we happened to walk past a shop in Lechlade, which had a toy aeroplane. My husband went in and bought it. I think he thought he would have liked it when he was a child.

"Our son Tom was 18 months old at the time and he just sat in the garden in it.

"He was car-mad and I thought it would be nice for Tom to have a pedal-car party for his birthday, but I could not find any anywhere."

She ended up with 11 different cars, including a Massey Ferguson tractor and a fire engine, plus old-style road signs and traffic cones, working traffic lights and a pop-up garage.

"Altogether, they make a really good package. We include bunting, balloons and invitations, and deliver and collect the cars," said Mrs Baxter.

"All the parents have to do is book the hall."

Before having her children — Tom, now three-and-a-half, and Hannah, 20 months — she worked for West Oxfordshire District Council and then Oxfordshire County Council, as part of the waste management team.

She used savings to buy the toys — which cost more than a hundred pounds each — and a liveried delivery van, but says future outlay will be minimal.

She said: "I met my husband at university, where we were both studying business and management. I thought I would never use some of it again, but it is all useful now."

She added: "We spend our evenings working on our business plan and having financial discussions."

She believes hers is the only business of its kind in the UK. News spread nationwide via Facebook and Twitter. She has offers from potential franchisees in other parts of the country, but at the moment her focus is local.

"I went to Charlbury Street Fair and one in Chipping Norton because it is a new idea, and you have to show people the cars, so that they think of you when a birthday or wedding comes along."

More local events are planned, with taster sessions at toddler groups.

"A lot of my bookings come from friends of friends. Because I have little ones, I am in all the right networks, but the marketing is a good challenge," she said.

"I get amazing feedback. One little girl kissed every single car to say goodbye to them, and I get cheers when I come into the hall." Contact: 07780 001239 Web: www.pedalcarparties.co.uk